President Joe Biden’s reelection campaign and the Democratic Party amassed a staggering $90 million in March, marking a significant shift towards a general election stance. This fundraising feat was highlighted by a compelling State of the Union address and a high-profile fundraiser featuring former presidents.
The campaign reported a war chest of $192 million cash on hand, a record-breaking amount for any Democratic candidate at this stage in the election cycle. The campaign also celebrated its most successful month of grassroots fundraising since its inception.
In contrast, the Republican National Committee and Donald Trump’s campaign ended March with a combined $65.6 million in fundraising and $93.1 million cash on hand. However, Trump’s upcoming fundraiser in Palm Beach, heavily attended by billionaires, is expected to boost these numbers.
Biden’s fundraising in March was nearly double the amount raised in the same month in 2020 during his initial campaign against Trump. Deputy campaign manager Rob Flaherty attributed this success to small-dollar donors and the campaign’s focus on building long-term relationships with grassroots supporters.
Despite the fundraising success, Biden’s campaign faces challenges with the president’s low approval ratings and tight races in key battleground states. However, the March fundraising figures are likely to be seen as a positive sign by the Biden campaign, reflecting donors’ determination to prevent a second Trump term.
Biden has been actively campaigning across the country since his State of the Union address on March 7, focusing on his record on health care, infrastructure, and the economy. The campaign also hosted a record-breaking fundraiser in March, featuring former Presidents Barack Obama and Bill Clinton, which raised over $26 million.
The campaign reported that 96% of its first-quarter donations were under $200, with 704,000 unique donors contributing 864,000 times to the Biden-Harris campaign in March alone. About 40% of the 1.6 million donors this cycle are new from 2020, indicating increased voter engagement as the election draws nearer.
The campaign is ramping up its spending in key battlegrounds, opening over 100 new offices and hiring more than 350 new team members in March. It also launched a $30 million, six-week paid media campaign on digital and television platforms.
Contributions to this report were made by CNN’s MJ Lee.