President Joe Biden's re-election campaign has reportedly raised over $90 million, outstripping former President Donald Trump's fundraising efforts by $25 million.
This financial feat has elevated the Democratic candidate's total cash reserves to an unprecedented $192 million, marking a new milestone for any Democratic contender at this juncture of the electoral cycle.
As the 2024 presidential race heats up, anticipating a November showdown, both campaigns are locked in a fierce fundraising rivalry. The past month witnessed both Biden and Trump securing their largest fundraising totals to date, underscoring the intensifying competition for financial resources, according to RadarOnline.com.
A significant boost to Biden's campaign coffers came from a high-profile fundraiser on March 28 at Radio City Music Hall, featuring appearances by former Presidents Barack Obama and Bill Clinton. This event alone contributed over $25 million in donations.
Biden's campaign has declared March as its "strongest grassroots fundraising month" since announcing the president's bid for re-election in April of the previous year. The campaign credits its fundraising success to robust support from grassroots donors, noting a consistent increase in backing.
"While former President Trump is engaging with billionaires at Mar-a-Lago this evening for his fundraising efforts, the Biden-Harris team's first-quarter financial achievements stem from our grassroots support base, which has been expanding month over month," Biden's campaign announced.
The campaign emphasized that the funds raised are pivotal for constructing a formidable operational framework, enhancing presence in key battleground states, and refining voter outreach initiatives.
Julie Chavez Rodriguez, the Biden-Harris 2024 campaign manager, remarked, “The historic fundraising underscores our commitment to building a winning strategy that focuses squarely on the electorate critical to this election. This involves establishing campaign offices nationwide, deploying staff in crucial battleground states, and executing a comprehensive paid media strategy to reach voters effectively.”
On the other hand, Trump's campaign has been navigating financial difficulties, relying significantly on affluent donors to support its operational needs and cover rising legal expenses.
Despite amassing $65.6 million in March and concluding the month with $91.3 million on hand, Trump's team has conceded that matching Biden's fundraising achievements is not essential for clinching electoral victory.
The financial disparity between the campaigns is pronounced. Biden's team boasts record-breaking cash reserves and highlights Trump's legal challenges. They point out the coincidental $100 million gap in campaign funds, equating it to the sum Trump has expended on legal fees since departing the White House.
Meanwhile, Ohio's Secretary of State Frank LaRose raised concerns on Friday regarding the timing of the Democratic National Convention, potentially impacting President Joe Biden's placement on the state's general election ballot.
In a letter acquired by NBC News, LaRose indicated that the convention's scheduled date of August 19, 2024, falls beyond the August 7 deadline for certifying presidential candidates in Ohio.
“The Democratic National Convention is set to convene more than a week after the deadline to certify a presidential candidate to the office,” LaRose wrote to Liz Walters, Chairwoman of the Ohio Democratic Party, highlighting a significant scheduling conflict.
The initial report on the letter's contents and implications was made by ABC News.
LaRose outlined two potential resolutions in his letter: The Democratic Party could either advance its nominating convention to precede the deadline or seek an amendment from the Ohio state legislature to allow an exception to this requirement by May 9, in compliance with state law.
The communication was also sent to Ohio State Representative Allison Russo, the House minority leader, and State Senator Nickie Antonio, the Senate minority leader, indicating the broad relevance and urgency of the matter.
Responding to the concerns, a spokesperson for the Biden campaign reassured NBC News of their vigilance and confidence regarding the situation. “We are monitoring the situation in Ohio closely, and we are confident that Joe Biden will appear on the ballot in all 50 states,” the spokesperson stated.
This issue underscores the Democratic Party's status as a major political entity that traditionally secures ballot access across all states.
Earlier in the year, during the primary elections, President Biden made a strategic decision not to appear on the New Hampshire ballot due to a conflict with the Democratic National Committee's approved primary calendar.
South Carolina was designated to hold its primary first, in violation of this arrangement. Despite this, Biden successfully won the New Hampshire primary through a write-in campaign, demonstrating his substantial support within the party irrespective of ballot placement challenges.
