Former Texas Rep. Beto O’Rourke brought in $9.4 million over the first 18 days of his presidential bid, according to his campaign’s breakdown of his first-quarter fundraising report.
The O’Rourke camp boasted that the 46-year-old has been the “highest per-day” fundraiser in the crowded Democratic field.
“Not only is this a sign of our grassroots strength during the first two weeks of our campaign, but it is a sign of what’s possible when you put your full trust in the people of this country,” Mr. O’Rourke said in a news release.
Mr. O’Rourke proved to be a prolific fundraiser in his failed challenge against Republican Sen. Ted Cruz last fall, and the campaign’s announcement Wednesday suggested some of that momentum has carried over into his presidential bid.
The biggest burst for Mr. O’Rourke came in the first 24 hours of his campaign, where he pulled in $6.1 million.
Despite a solid showing, he has some catching up to do.
Sen. Bernard Sanders of Vermont raised $18.2 million from 525,000 donors, and Sen. Kamala D. Harris of California raised $12 million off of 218,000 contributions.
Pete Buttigieg, the mayor of South Bend, Indiana, surprised a lot of political observers when he announced raising $7 million from 158,000 donors.
The O’Rourke campaign said he received 218,000 donations and that 98 percent of those donations were less than $200.
• Seth McLaughlin can be reached at smclaughlin@washingtontimes.com.
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