The deadline for second-quarter fundraising reporting was Saturday night.
According to an analysis of the numbers, President Joe Biden’s numbers trailed where Donald Trump and Barack Obama were at this point in their reelection cycles.
Trump’s topline number was less than expected, based on how enthusiastically a campaign official teased his post-indictment fundraising. DeSantis’ filing has several warning signs, including a fast start that he didn’t sustain and $3 million that he can’t touch until the general election. And Scott still spent more than he raised.
Mediocre fundraising number followed the DeSantis’ campaign is shedding staff.
Lower-polling contenders are turning to gimmicks, like gift cards, to reach the fundraising minimums they need to qualify for the first debate.