The 2020 Democratic primary is already the most expensive ever
Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) suspended her campaign Thursday, ending a White House bid highlighted by fierce debate performances and strong grassroots support.
Like her fellow progressive Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Warren rejected big-dollar fundraisers and relied mostly on small donors to fund her campaign. Of her $92 million fundraising haul, more than half came from those giving $200 or less. Warren’s campaign received significant support from women donors, who accounted for more than half of her fundraising total. She did not have a stark gender gap like Sanders, who received 39 percent of his campaign cash from women.
Trump’s nominee to restore FEC criticized for ‘dark money’ history
Senate Republicans will consider advancing President Donald Trump’s GOP nominee to the Federal Election Commission next week, potentially giving the paralyzed watchdog the fourth member it needs to enforce election law.
Transparency groups are criticizing Trump’s pick — Texas election lawyer James “Trey” Trainor — over his opposition to campaign finance regulation. Read More
Bloomberg’s half-billion dollar investment failed to pay dividends
Michael Bloomberg dropped out of the Democratic presidential primary Wednesday after his half-billion dollar campaign fell flat on Super Tuesday. Despite spending unprecedented sums on advertising and campaign staff, the billionaire philanthropist didn’t win a single state.
Bloomberg endorsed Joe Biden on the heels of the former vice president’s hugely successful night. Read More
Establishment Democrats edge out AOC-backed candidates on Super Tuesday
Progressive candidates backed by Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) were unable to replicate the freshman lawmaker’s 2018 success on Super Tuesday, losing to better funded Democrats. In one of the more closely watched races, progressive challenger Jessica Cisneros narrowly lost to 15-year incumbent Rep. Henry Cuellar (D-Texas) in Texas’ 28th district. Read More
Say Hi at NICAR!
If you’re headed to NOLA for the NICAR (National Institute for Computer-Assisted Reporting) conference, look for Anna and Sheila and say hi!
Biden’s White House bid boosted by Wall Street cash
Former Vice President Joe Biden sits at the top of the pack with more Wall Street cash than any other candidate in the presidential field. With other moderate candidates out of the race, Biden could get even more money from the deep-pocketed securities and investment industry.
So far, the industry contributed a total of $4.4 million to Biden’s campaign committee and closely-tied super PAC that supports his third presidential run. After securing a big win in South Carolina and pending a strong Super Tuesday performance, Wall Street donors told Reuters they would be ready to fully support Biden.
