Castro, O’Rourke falling behind the pack in fundraising
Texans and Democratic presidential candidates Julian Castro and Beto O'Rourke are falling behind the rest of the pack in the inter-party struggle to take on President Trump in November 2020.
AUSTIN (KXAN) — Texans and Democratic presidential candidates Julian Castro and Beto O’Rourke are falling behind the rest of the pack in the inter-party struggle to take on President Trump in November 2020.
Financial documents released this week from the two campaigns tell a troubling story.
Julian Castro, former San Antonio Mayor and HUD Secretary, has $1.1 million in his campaign bank account, according to financial documents from the Federal Election Commission. Throughout the race, he’s raised $3.9 million and spent $2.9 million.
He reported a large influx of donations after a well-regarded debate performance in late June, doubling his intake from the first quarter to the second. In April, May, and June, his campaign raised $2.8 million. According to a detailed FEC report, Castro’s team spent big on digital advertising.
Beto O’Rourke has more money than Castro but has spent more money than he took in during the last three months; an early sign of campaign troubles according to political observers.
O’Rourke, the former El Paso Congressman, took in less money than he did during the first quarter. He raised $3.6 million in the April, May, and June according to FEC documents. His campaign spent $5.3 million, a high “burn rate” – the ratio campaigns gain to spent among politicos.
He still has $5.2 million in his campaign coffers; nearly five times Castro’s amount but not enough to compete with the top-tier in the Presidential race.
Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders, Massachusetts Senator Elizabeth Warren, and South Bend Mayor Pete Buttigieg have $20 million or more in their campaign war-chest after the second quarter.
All far short of the incumbent President Donald Trump, who reports $56.7 million for his reelection bid.
The election is far off, November 2020.
Look for more on this story on KXAN News at 6 PM. You can also follow @PhilPrazan for updates on state and national politics.