Sanders Campaign Says It Reached 4 Million Individual Donations

By Julia Manchester, The Hill

20 November 19

en. Bernie Sanders's (I-Vt.) presidential campaign announced on Tuesday that it has reached 4 million individual donations.

“Working-class Americans across the country are chipping in $3, $18, $27, or whatever they can to help elect Bernie Sanders because they know he is the only candidate who will fight for them and take on corporate greed and corruption,” Sanders campaign manager Faiz Shakir said in a statement. 

The campaign noted that Sanders did not reach the 4 million donor mark in 2016 until after the New Hampshire Democratic primary. 

Sanders has relied on small-dollar donations to fund his presidential bids, refusing to take money from super PACs. 

The progressive senator led the Democratic primary pack in fundraising in the third quarter, raking in $25.3 million. The fundraising haul was fueled by roughly 1.4 million donations. 

His progressive rival, Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), has also relied heavily on individual donations, bringing in $24.6 million in the third quarter. 

Sanders's and Warren's fundraising strategies differ largely from more establishment figures in the Democratic primary field. 

Former Vice President Joe Biden raised $15.2 million in the third quarter, while South Bend, Ind., Mayor Pete Buttigieg (D) raised $19.1 million. 

Former Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick (D), who entered the crowded Democratic primary field last week, said on Sunday that he would not turn away super PACs that wanted to support his campaign. 

"If there's a super PAC that supports you, you’re not going to tell them to stop?" NBC's Chuck Todd asked. 

"No I’m not," Patrick responded.