Dear friend of OpenSecrets,

During the Democratic debate tonight, OpenSecrets' 2020 Presidential Race page will give you the most current information on the candidates' fundraising. From megadonors to small donors, to industry PACs and the lobbyists who represent them, OpenSecrets.org has the most comprehensive data on where the 2020 presidential contenders are getting their money.

After three quarterly reports we have a clearer fundraising picture for the large Democratic field. Who is attracting the most support, and from whom? On the eve of the fifth debate contest, here’s where they stand:

• Sens. Elizabeth Warren and Bernie Sanders are dominating among small donors, while former Vice President Joe Biden and South Bend, Indiana Mayor Pete Buttigieg continue to raise large sums from wealthy contributors.
• Fewer competitive special election races and an aversion to super PACs in the democratic presidential primary have kept outside spending numbers down so far in the 2020 campaign cycle. Total spending by outside groups identified as left leaning stands at about 11 million, compared to 22 million by conservative leaning groups. 
• Billionaire investor Tom Steyer has spent $13.4 million on digital ads, the most among Democrats, with Buttigieg coming in second at $9.3 million.

A new feature of OpenSecrets’ presidential profile pages now displays how much money candidates and their allied outside groups are spending on Google ads. The new “Google Ad Spending” tab on the profiles integrates data from Google’s political ad database, and enables users to filter through thousands of ads and track weekly spending. OpenSecrets is adding Facebook and other digital platform ad data going into the 2020 election. Check out this tool and the new small donors page and as you identify the candidates’ money sources, see if it influences their rhetoric on the debate stage.

OpenSecrets' databases are more than just a campaign junkie's trove of data made for political oddsmakers. We offer anyone accurate, comprehensive data and reporting — for free — on the money flowing through politics and policy, so that everyone has the facts they need to make a decision about where to place their vote in the upcoming presidential race. This is all possible because you sustain us through each election cycle with your generous contributions. We are grateful for your support and ask you to help power our efforts to bring you the best original 2020 coverage, and keep this critical money-in-politics data public, accessible and free. Will you help?