Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has raised $20 million in the first six weeks after announcing his candidacy for president, his campaign announced Thursday.
DeSantis’ formidable run indicates a well of support despite a glitchy Twitter campaign launch in May. Yet polls show him in a distant second place for the 2024 Republican nomination behind former President Donald Trump.
Trump’s campaign said Wednesday it raised $35 million in the second quarter of the year, nearly double what it raised in the first three months of the year. Trump’s fundraising has skyrocketed since he was indicted in New York and Florida, and he faces additional investigations that could further bolster his fundraising ability.
DeSantis has maintained a busy fundraising and campaign schedule in the early primary states and beyond amid growing rivalry between him and Trump.
He sparked controversy last week with a video criticizing Trump for his past support for gays and transgender people, which a prominent group of LGBT conservatives said “strayed into homophobic territory.”
Never Back Down, a super PAC supporting DeSantis, is separately raising funds that will benefit the contestant. The group cannot legally work with DeSantis, but orchestrates much of the on-field organization that may be crucial to victory in the early primary states.
The other Republican presidential candidates have yet to release their fundraising numbers for the April 1-June 30 period. Candidates have until July 15 to submit their documents to the Federal Election Commission.