Beto O’Rourke releases his first day numbers, out raises all other 2020 candidates

Molly Prince, DCNF

WASHINGTON, IOWA - MARCH 15: Democratic presidential candidate Beto O'Rourke talks with voters during his second day of campaigning for the 2020 nomination at Art Domestique March 15, 2019 in Washington, Iowa. After losing a long-shot race for U.S. Senate to Ted Cruz (R-TX), the 46-year-old O'Rourke is making his first campaign swing through Iowa after jumping into a crowded Democratic field this week. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images) — (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

Former Texas Rep. Robert “Beto” O’Rourke raised more than $6.1 million in one day following his announcement that he will seek the Democratic nomination for the presidency in 2020.

“Beto O’Rourke raised a record-breaking $6,136,763 in online contributions during the first 24 hours of his grassroots campaign for President of the United States,” Chris Evans, communications director for O’Rourke’s campaign tweeted. “Without a dime from PACs, corporations or special interests.”

NEW: Beto O’Rourke raised a record-breaking $6,136,763 in online contributions during the first 24 hours of his grassroots campaign for President of the United States. Without a dime from PACs, corporations or special interests.

NEW: Beto O’Rourke raised a record-breaking $6,136,763 in online contributions during the first 24 hours of his grassroots campaign for President of the United States. Without a dime from PACs, corporations or special interests.

— Chris Evans (@ChrisEvans_TX) March 18, 2019

The high fundraising haul surpasses all of the other 2020 Democrats who have disclosed their contributions thus far. Prior to O’Rourke’s announcement, Independent Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders lead the fundraising pack with nearly $6 million from roughly 223,000 people in one day. Comparatively, California Democratic Sen. Kamala Harris took in $1.5 million in 24 hours and Democratic Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar hit the $1 million mark in 48 hours.

“In just 24 hours, Americans across this country came together to prove that it is possible to run a true grassroots campaign for president — a campaign by all of us, for all of us, that answers not to the PACs, corporations, and special interests but to the people,” O’Rourke said in a statement.

After months of speculation, the three-term congressman announced Thursday that he is running for president in 2020.

O’Rourke has a proven capacity to generate enormous campaign donations, particularly with small-dollars, which was highlighted during his run for Senate against Republican Texas Sen. Ted Cruz in 2018. He amassed a war chest of cash after donations from around the country began rolling in — accordingly, he received more campaign contributions in one quarter than any Senate candidate in American history. However, he burned through almost all of the record-breaking $80 million he raised while campaigning.

O’Rourke, who continuously trailed Cruz throughout the duration of their campaigns, failed to attain the seat as junior U.S. senator to the state of Texas

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