• Republican presidential candidates submitted their second-quarter fundraising totals last weekend, but former Vice President Mike Pence has raised just $1.2 million since his campaign began in early June.
• Several political experts have warned that Pence’s total earnings in the second quarter were low compared to other leading candidates’ millions of dollars, but the vice president and Donald Trump’s He told the Daily Caller News Foundation that some people aren’t surprised considering the relationship.
• “Republican Marianne Williamson is Mike Pence. He’s a former vice president, so it really sucks,” Republican political consultant Jeff Frederick told DCNF. “If he doesn’t fly out the gate with the next financial report, he’ll turn around completely and say, ‘Oh my God, what a turnaround,’ and he’s done.”

The second-quarter fundraising totals for the 2024 Republican presidential candidates, released Saturday, offer a glimpse of the strength of their respective campaigns, with several political pundits alarming former Vice President Mike Pence’s numbers. rang.

Pence has raised $1.2 million since running for president in June, reaching the lowest funding tier in a crowded Republican primary. according to Submission to the Federal Election Commission (FEC). Some political pundits aren’t surprised by the former vice president’s low gross income in the second quarter, given his relationship with former President Donald Trump, with one Republican consultant calling him a Democratic presidential candidate and self-help author. ‘s Marianne Williamson, she told the Daily Caller News. Foundation.

“Republican Marianne Williamson is Mike Pence. He’s a former vice president, so it really sucks,” Republican political consultant Jeff Frederick told DCNF. “If he doesn’t fly out the gate with the next financial report, he’ll turn around completely and say, ‘Oh my God, what a turnaround,’ and he’s done.”

Williamson is now vote 5.6% in the Democratic presidential primary and campaign Raised We had just under $1 million in the second quarter funding quarter. Pence has funded his campaign and the Commitment to America, an extra-political action committee (PAC) that supports the White House candidacy (totaling $3.85 million in advance), to fund his candidacy as a presidential candidate. It closed its first funding quarter with just over $1 million in cash on hand.

Pence: “We just announced it a month ago.” Said ABC News last week. “Please give me a time.” (Related: Pence’s funding numbers cast doubt on debate eligibility)

Dr. Charles Block, a professor of political science at the University of Georgia and a fellow at the American Enterprise Institute, told DCNF that Pence’s low funding numbers aren’t surprising. Mr Pence said that was not the case, as the party is still very much “in Mr Trump’s pocket”. People looking for alternatives are unlikely to flock to the Vice President.

John McHenry, a Republican polling analyst and vice president of North Star Opinion Research, echoed Block’s sentiment, saying the former vice president’s second-quarter tally suggests Pence has a “lane.” told the DCNF that it did not show

McHenry told the DCNF, “Vice President Pence’s numbers were pretty much what we expected. There were a few positive donations in appreciation of past relationships, but there are avenues he could pursue this election.” There was nothing to suggest that,” he said. “His relationship with President Trump will disgust the ‘absolute Trumpists’ and his refusal to derail the electorate will offend hardcore Trumpists.”

We are so grateful to the thousands of Americans who have already donated to Mr. Pence as a presidential candidate. He needs 40,000 donors to qualify for the first Republican presidential debate. You can help too! Donate $1 now. See you at the August debate #pence2024 https://t.co/NY OplB8K9i

— Mike Pence (@Mike_Pence) July 10, 2023

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis raised more money than any other Republican candidate in the second quarter, followed by Trump, conservative businessman Vivek Ramaswamy and South Carolina Senator Tim Scott. Each followed. At the end of the second quarter, Trump had the most cash on hand with over $22 million, followed by Scott with $21.1 million and DeSantis with $12.2 million.

Block said these second-quarter filings aren’t that important to Trump’s position in the Republican primary field, but to other candidates who have to gain name recognition and introduce themselves to voters. said to be a big indicator. The political scientist also noted that Scott ended the second quarter with much more cash on hand than DeSantis, a sign of a “high burn rate” in the governor’s campaign. said.

“It shows that his campaign hasn’t really clicked yet. If that doesn’t work out soon enough, I think we’ll see a significant decline in his third quarter. [totals]’ said Block of DeSantis.

McHenry said the second-quarter tally revealed the “importance” of the first presidential debate in August in determining which candidates would catch fire, and that DeSantis was a strong force. It was questioned whether the performance of such a debate could attract new donors.

“If Governor Hutchinson and Governor Christie don’t score some points in the debate, it’s hard to see much of a way forward for them,” McHenry said. “We can romanticize Senator McCain’s comeback from driving around New Hampshire on the Straight Talk Express in 2008, but he also had the privilege of being the second-round nominee in 2000. No one in the lower echelons of fundraising has this high profile and there was something about it.” I need to change to raise money and improve my position, even to be in the Iowa caucuses.” deaf. ”

Former New Jersey Governor Chris Christie Raised He’s made $1.65 million since jumping into the race in early June and had $1.59 million in cash at the end of the second quarter.Former Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson bring up We raised just $582,521 in the second quarter and will be entering the next funding quarter with $378,677 in cash on hand.

Super PACs are required to submit their second quarter totals to the FEC by the end of this month, which will give more clarity to the candidates’ fundraising strengths. Donor numbers are not included in campaign filings because the Republican National Committee (RNC) requires all candidates to meet a unique threshold of 40,000 donors. This has important implications for candidates’ ability to participate in the first round of debates.

“We’re entering the debate phase. We’re working around the clock to make sure we hit that threshold of 40,000,” Pence said. Said ABC News last week. “I am confident that we will be able to arrive on August 23rd.”

Real Clear Politics (RCP) average In the 2024 Republican National Primary, based on polls conducted from June 16 to July 11, Trump has a 34.1-point lead in overcrowded constituencies, followed by DeSantis by 19.7% and Pence. 6%, Ramaswamy 4.5%, and former UN Ambassador Nikki. Hailey got 3.3%, Scott 3% and Christie 2.5%. All other candidates earned his 1% or less win rate or did not register in the poll for inclusion in the RCP average.

The Pence campaign did not immediately respond to the DCNF’s request for comment.

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