Openly gay Mayor Pete Buttigieg announced today his team raised over $7 million in the first quarter of 2019 for his potential presidential campaign.
“This is just a preliminary analysis, but our team’s initial report shows we raised over $7 million dollars in Q1 of this year,” tweeted Mayor Pete. “We (you) are out-performing expectations at every turn. I’ll have a more complete analysis later, but until then: a big thank you to all our supporters.”
This is just a preliminary analysis, but our team’s initial report shows we raised over $7 million dollars in Q1 of this year. We (you) are out-performing expectations at every turn. I'll have a more complete analysis later, but until then: a big thank you to all our supporters. pic.twitter.com/rDmTEiTfCs
— Pete Buttigieg (@PeteButtigieg) April 1, 2019
In an email to supporters Monday morning, Buttigieg added, “With a first fundraising report like this, we certainly cannot be ignored.”
Even though he has only announced an exploratory committee and not officially entered the race, the 37-year-old’s campaign haul definitely puts him squarely on the map.
Although, the South Bend mayor will still have some catching up to do.
CNN reports that Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont reported taking in $5.9 million the first day of his campaign. And former Rep. Beto O’Rourke raised $6.1 million in the 24 hours after his announcement.
In addition to campaign dollars, Democratic White House hopefuls are also looking to qualify for the first two debates according to the rules set by the Democratic National Committee.
To take the stage for those all-important debates, candidates must show donations from at least 65,000 individuals from 20 states, or earn at least 1% support in multiple polls.
Buttigieg has already announced he’s surpassed the 65,000 threshold.
Thanks to you, we hit the @TheDemocrats 65,000 donor goal in order to be invited to the first debate. But we are going to need to raise a lot more money to compete. pic.twitter.com/SCOAZ20UuG
— Pete Buttigieg (@PeteButtigieg) March 16, 2019
And, he’s begun moving up in the polls.
A recent Emerson Poll of Iowa caucus-goers, Buttigieg surged to a double-digit third place garnering 11% support behind former Vice President Joe Biden (25%) and Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont (24%).
In the January edition of that same poll, Buttigieg was getting zero percent support.
Even though he’s the youngest contender in the Democratic field, Buttigieg points to his two terms as mayor as well as his experience as a military veteran as worthy credentials that more than qualify him for the presidency.
Just a few weeks ago, we were seeing comments like, “Never gonna happen” in reference to a realistic run by Buttigieg.
Now, that statement doesn’t seem to be so accurate.
Stay tuned, folks…
The public is not going to elect a gay President with a name that (unbelievably) starts with “Butt..” Also, he was praising Hillary Clinton recently which didn’t go over well.