The Democratic Party and President Joe Biden’s reelection campaign had a significant uptick in funding in February, raising over $42 million, their highest amount of grassroots contributions this election year.
Campaign aides claim that this strong fundraising shows a degree of excitement for the president that is sometimes disregarded.
February’s Fundraising Surge
While concerns have been raised about Biden’s reelection enthusiasm, recent polls highlighting worries about his age and key issues like the economy, the campaign points to the success of their grassroots fundraising as a testament to underlying enthusiasm for the Biden candidacy.
Deputy campaign manager Rob Flaherty emphasized that the diverse ways in which they raise money and the effectiveness of their grassroots fundraising operation showcase a fervent base of donors.
The campaign revealed that February’s grassroots fundraising included nearly $2 million in donations on the final day of the month, marking the second strongest grassroots fundraising day of the entire cycle. This surge came despite the absence of a defining news story or an unusual fundraising push by the campaign on that particular day.
Biden’s Wide Support from the Community
The campaign has strategically tapped into the concerns of voters regarding a potential second term for Donald Trump.
Following Trump’s victory in the South Carolina primary, where he defeated former governor Nikki Haley, the Biden campaign experienced a notable uptick in grassroots donations, pulling in $1.6 million within 48 hours.
The fundraising success has not been limited to routine efforts; an email under first lady Dr. Jill Biden’s name on February 12, criticizing a controversial report about Biden’s handling of classified documents, emerged as the second best-performing fundraising email of the entire cycle.
Regarding concerns about Joe Biden’s advanced age and possible memory problems, the email presented him as a competent and capable leader in an effort to allay fears on both fronts.
Campaign officials noted that around a third of the grassroots contributors, totaling about a million people who make small-dollar donations and do not attend fundraisers, are new donors previously unaffiliated with Biden or Vice President Kamala Harris.
The campaign’s ability to reach out to a variety of voter segments is evident in this wave of new supporters, which bodes well for the next election season.
