Biden breaks Obama’s record as campaign raises $364 million online
Amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, Joe Biden’s campaign breaks Obama record as the democratic presidential candidate raised more than $364 million in August. Much of the funds were raised online due to the coronavirus pandemic, DAILY TIMES gathered.
A total of $364.5 million was raised by the former vice president and the Democratic National Committee. Out of the amount raised, a total of $205 million were pledged online from small donors, according to reports from his campaign team on Wednesday.
Until now, Obama and the DNC hold the record when he raised almost $200 million in September 2008, according to CBS and New York Times reports.
“That figure blows me away,” said the 77-year-old Biden in a statement thanking his supporters.
READ ALSO: Fuel price hike: NLC threatens strike, says Buhari betrayed Nigerians’ trust
“Over $205 million, or 57 percent of the money we raised, came from online donations, from people like you, chipping in $5, $10, $20 at a time,” the candidate added.
Having prepared his re-election campaign since he arrived in the White House in early 2017, 74-year-old President Donald Trump still has a larger overall war chest, but Biden has been drawing in ever-larger sums since winning the Democratic primary in April.
“We have to keep breaking records if we want to ensure a fighting chance at winning this thing,” Biden urged his supporters.
“Trump’s money machine remains and it’s bolstered by outside, dark money — not grassroots donors like all of you,” Biden said.
“And you better believe they will pour it all into attacks and smears against me, against Kamala, and against our campaign.”
The decision to pick Kamala Harris, a California Senator, as running mate boosted Biden’s donor base, raising $26 million in 24 hours, according to Biden revelation on 12 August. Kamala is the first woman of color on a major party presidential ticket.
In July, Trump and the Republic National Committee raised $165 million, against $140 million for the Democrats the same month
Related to this topic:
