WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump’s re-election campaign raised more than $30 million in the first fundraising quarter — roughly the same combined amount of his two foremost challengers.
Trump now has $40.8 million, Tim Murtaugh, the campaign’s director of communications, told CNN on Sunday.
Nearly 99% of the donations were $200 or less, with the average contribution being $34.26, the campaign said.
So far, 18 people are competing to become the Democratic nominee for president. Former Vice President Joe Biden has strongly hinted that he will throw his hat in the ring, too.
Independent Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont, making his second bid for the Democratic nomination, has the biggest war chest of the challengers — ending March with $28 million.
California Sen. Kamala Harris is in second place, with $12 million.
Pete Buttigieg, the mayor of South Bend, Ind., who officially announced his candidacy on Sunday, said on April 1 that he had raised over $7 million in the first quarter. His campaign said on Twitter that he raised another $1 million within hours of his announcement.
Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-Calif.) also officially announced his candidacy on Sunday, vowing to make gun control the foremost issue of his campaign.
The candidates are expected to file reports with the Federal Election Commission on Monday that will reveal more about their fundraising efforts.
