Updated at 9:50 p.m. to include the latest fundraising figures from Sen. Ted Cruz.
WASHINGTON — The Texas Democrat hoping to oust Sen. Ted Cruz is posting his largest campaign fundraising haul yet: $2.4 million.
El Paso Rep. Beto O’Rourke, now touring the state in a blitz of town halls, announced the figures on Sunday during a live-streamed campaign rally in Houston.
It's the second time O'Rourke has out-raised the Republican favorite in a single fundraising quarter. Following O'Rourke's news, the Cruz campaign announced it brought in $1.9 million in the final quarter of 2017.
But the sitting senator raised a total of $7.1 million in 2017, according to a spokeswoman for Cruz, and closed the year with a sizable $7.3 million in cash on hand. O'Rourke heads into the election year with $4.6 million in cash.
According to figures released by the O’Rourke campaign — a few days ahead of when federal filings are due — the congressman exceeded his previous quarterly tallies and raised the $2.44 million through 55,567 donations between September and December.
O’Rourke has sworn off the help of political action committees. According to the campaign, more than 70 percent of the last quarter’s donations came from Texas, and none of the funds came from loans.
“The intensity of support and breadth of that support is really encouraging,” O’Rourke said in an interview with The Dallas Morning News. “Money is not the most important thing, but it is important, and it will be critical to our chances in the upcoming primary in March and the election.”
The outgoing congressman faces a nominal early test in the upcoming March 6 primary. Then, O’Rourke faces Democratic challengers Sema Hernandez, a self-described “progressive Berniecrat” from Houston, and Edward Kimbrough, who according to his website is a retired U.S. Postal Service employee from the Houston area. Federal campaign finance reports are not yet available for Hernandez nor Kimbrough.
Though O’Rourke is considered the likely victor in the primary, he said: “You just can’t take anything for granted.”
Political observers have kept a close eye on both Cruz and O’Rourke’s coffers after the Democrat earned more than $2.1 million in the first three months of his campaign. He outraised Cruz, who posted $1.6 million that quarter, though the senator wasn’t in campaign mode.
Weacron on January 29th, 2018 at 18:05 UTC »
For anyone who's on the fence about better or Rourke or if there's any Texans you know who are on the fence let me tell you a personal story I've had and have shared on read it a few times.
In 2011 I was discharged medically out of the military. When I return home I had applied for VA benefits. After I did this, I received a phone call from Beto himself asking me how I was doing if the VA was taking care of me properly and if my claims were being taken care of in a quick and timely manner. It was the first time I've ever spoken to a politician. More interesting to me was the fact that he spoke to me when it wasn't an election season. This individual didn't have to take time out of his day to see how I was doing just like many other politicians out there. but he decided to take the time to not only call me but personally reassure me that my claim would be handled (Which it has been).
This is why Beto has my vote. Because unlike Ted who emails me about all "his" accomplishments, Beto only wants to talk to us about making Texas better for all.
election_info_bot on January 29th, 2018 at 16:15 UTC »
Texas 2018 Election
Primary Election Registration Deadline: February 5, 2018
Primary Election: March 6, 2018
General Election Registration Deadline: October 9, 2018
General Election: November 6, 2018
darkseadrake on January 29th, 2018 at 14:52 UTC »
Not bad! Beto’s biggest roadblock right now is name recognition, however I think come after March 6th he will be the Texas Democrat’s proud champion. You see, despite its size and reputation, Texas is quite pink when it comes to red states. Austin Houston and Dallas are some of the most blue cities in the country and my friends in Texas have stated there’s this surging movement to get rid of ted Cruz.