Brendan J. Doherty
@brendanjdoherty.bsky.social
Political science professor at US Naval Academy || Latest book: Fundraiser in Chief: Presidents & the Politics of Campaign Cash || Views are my own, not DoD's
A deadlocked FEC vote has opened the path for parties to buy campaign ads at lower rates, potentially shifting the fundraising balance of power in Senate races. @politico.com story:
www.politico.com/news/2024/10...
www.politico.com/news/2024/10...
Senate Republicans to save millions of dollars on ads — thanks to the FEC
A paralyzed FEC won’t block Republicans from using a new strategy that allows them to run TV ads for their candidates at a fraction of the cost.
www.politico.com
October 11, 2024 at 4:12 PM
A deadlocked FEC vote has opened the path for parties to buy campaign ads at lower rates, potentially shifting the fundraising balance of power in Senate races. @politico.com story:
www.politico.com/news/2024/10...
www.politico.com/news/2024/10...
The NRSC is shifting its ad buys from independent expenditures to hybrid ads. Why? The law requires candidates to be offered the "lowest unit rate" for TV and radio ads close to an election, while parties pay higher rates for independent expenditures.
www.politico.com/news/2024/10...
www.politico.com/news/2024/10...
Senate Republicans make sudden change in ad strategy amid cash crunch
The NRSC is canceling its independent ad reservations and redirecting it to hybrid ads, made with the candidates.
www.politico.com
October 2, 2024 at 7:16 PM
The NRSC is shifting its ad buys from independent expenditures to hybrid ads. Why? The law requires candidates to be offered the "lowest unit rate" for TV and radio ads close to an election, while parties pay higher rates for independent expenditures.
www.politico.com/news/2024/10...
www.politico.com/news/2024/10...
VP Harris raised $27 million at a Wall Street fundraiser on Sunday, her biggest yield from a single fundraising event
apnews.com/article/kama...
apnews.com/article/kama...
Harris raises $27 million in New York fundraiser, promises economic speech this week
Vice President Kamala Harris raised $27 million at a packed New York City fundraiser on Sunday. That's according to a Harris campaign aide who said it's the largest fundraising haul since Harris took ...
apnews.com
September 23, 2024 at 4:57 PM
VP Harris raised $27 million at a Wall Street fundraiser on Sunday, her biggest yield from a single fundraising event
apnews.com/article/kama...
apnews.com/article/kama...
The latest eye-popping fundraising numbers in the 2024 presidential race:
www.cnbc.com/2024/09/12/h...
www.cnbc.com/2024/09/12/h...
Harris raises $47 million in 24 hours after Trump debate
Vice President Kamala Harris raised $47 million from 600,000 donors in the first full day after her commanding debate performance against Donald Trump.
www.cnbc.com
September 13, 2024 at 2:31 PM
The latest eye-popping fundraising numbers in the 2024 presidential race:
www.cnbc.com/2024/09/12/h...
www.cnbc.com/2024/09/12/h...
The latest fundraising record to fall -- since the start of her campaign, VP Harris has raised an unprecedented $540 million for her joint fundraising committee benefitting her campaign, the DNC, and every Democratic state party.
www.pbs.org/newshour/pol...
www.pbs.org/newshour/pol...
Harris has raised $540 million and saw a surge of donations during DNC, campaign says
“Just before Vice President Harris’ acceptance speech Thursday night, we officially crossed the $500 million mark," campaign chair Jen O'Malley Dillon wrote in a memo released by the campaign on Sunda...
www.pbs.org
August 26, 2024 at 2:19 PM
The latest fundraising record to fall -- since the start of her campaign, VP Harris has raised an unprecedented $540 million for her joint fundraising committee benefitting her campaign, the DNC, and every Democratic state party.
www.pbs.org/newshour/pol...
www.pbs.org/newshour/pol...
Bundlers are the fundraisers who gather big contributions from other donors. This year, neither presidential campaign is disclosing their names.
www.nytimes.com/2024/08/20/u...
www.nytimes.com/2024/08/20/u...
Harris and Trump Shield Their Big Campaign Fund-Raisers From the Public
Political campaigns are not required to disclose the names of their fund-raising “bundlers,” but many presidential candidates have done so in recent years.
www.nytimes.com
August 21, 2024 at 5:26 PM
Bundlers are the fundraisers who gather big contributions from other donors. This year, neither presidential campaign is disclosing their names.
www.nytimes.com/2024/08/20/u...
www.nytimes.com/2024/08/20/u...
Presidential candidates spend so much time raising money for their campaign committee in increments of $3,300 per election or less since they never know when a megadonor like Mellon will write a $50 million check to a Super PAC
www.politico.com/news/2024/08...
www.politico.com/news/2024/08...
GOP megadonor Tim Mellon gives another $50M to boost Trump
Timothy Mellon has now given $115 million this cycle to the group.
www.politico.com
August 21, 2024 at 2:56 PM
Presidential candidates spend so much time raising money for their campaign committee in increments of $3,300 per election or less since they never know when a megadonor like Mellon will write a $50 million check to a Super PAC
www.politico.com/news/2024/08...
www.politico.com/news/2024/08...
Super PACs have been performing more core campaign functions in this race for the White House than in past election cycles. The latest example:
www.nytimes.com/2024/08/14/u...
www.nytimes.com/2024/08/14/u...
Trump Gambles on Outside Groups to Finance Voter Outreach Efforts
New federal rules allow political candidates to coordinate their efforts to canvass for votes with outside groups like super PACs.
www.nytimes.com
August 14, 2024 at 8:37 PM
Super PACs have been performing more core campaign functions in this race for the White House than in past election cycles. The latest example:
www.nytimes.com/2024/08/14/u...
www.nytimes.com/2024/08/14/u...
👀 Raised in July:
Harris campaign + Dem committees: $310 million
Trump campaign + GOP committees: $138.7 million
Cash on hand:
Harris: $377 million
Trump: $327 million
Harris: 2/3 of July $ from 1st-time donors; 94% of donations < $200
www.axios.com/2024/08/02/h...
Harris campaign + Dem committees: $310 million
Trump campaign + GOP committees: $138.7 million
Cash on hand:
Harris: $377 million
Trump: $327 million
Harris: 2/3 of July $ from 1st-time donors; 94% of donations < $200
www.axios.com/2024/08/02/h...
Harris raises twice as much as Trump in July
Harris' campaign generated a jolt of enthusiasm — and influx of donations.
www.axios.com
August 2, 2024 at 3:08 PM
👀 Raised in July:
Harris campaign + Dem committees: $310 million
Trump campaign + GOP committees: $138.7 million
Cash on hand:
Harris: $377 million
Trump: $327 million
Harris: 2/3 of July $ from 1st-time donors; 94% of donations < $200
www.axios.com/2024/08/02/h...
Harris campaign + Dem committees: $310 million
Trump campaign + GOP committees: $138.7 million
Cash on hand:
Harris: $377 million
Trump: $327 million
Harris: 2/3 of July $ from 1st-time donors; 94% of donations < $200
www.axios.com/2024/08/02/h...
Fascinating tea leaf about Harris's VP pick: Axios's Hans Nichols reports that "The Harris campaign is pressing Wall Street donors to cut their checks as soon as possible, citing a financial rule that bars contributions to tickets featuring a sitting governor."
www.axios.com/newsletters/...
www.axios.com/newsletters/...
Axios AM
www.axios.com
July 31, 2024 at 4:14 PM
Fascinating tea leaf about Harris's VP pick: Axios's Hans Nichols reports that "The Harris campaign is pressing Wall Street donors to cut their checks as soon as possible, citing a financial rule that bars contributions to tickets featuring a sitting governor."
www.axios.com/newsletters/...
www.axios.com/newsletters/...
While Super PACs must be technically independent of campaigns, they are often run by close allies of the candidate they support. The latest example:
www.washingtonpost.com/politics/202...
www.washingtonpost.com/politics/202...
Biden adviser Anita Dunn leaving White House to help pro-Harris super PAC
The decision marks the first major exit from President Biden’s core team since he decided to step aside from the presidential race.
www.washingtonpost.com
July 30, 2024 at 9:17 PM
While Super PACs must be technically independent of campaigns, they are often run by close allies of the candidate they support. The latest example:
www.washingtonpost.com/politics/202...
www.washingtonpost.com/politics/202...
JD Vance joins the (well-populated) club of candidates who said something different behind closed doors at a fundraiser than what they said in public
www.washingtonpost.com/politics/202...
www.washingtonpost.com/politics/202...
Vance tells donors Harris change was a ‘sucker punch,’ at odds with campaign
“The bad news is that Kamala Harris does not have the same baggage as Joe Biden,” Trump’s running mate acknowledged at a private event.
www.washingtonpost.com
July 30, 2024 at 3:55 PM
JD Vance joins the (well-populated) club of candidates who said something different behind closed doors at a fundraiser than what they said in public
www.washingtonpost.com/politics/202...
www.washingtonpost.com/politics/202...
Donors can only give $6,600 directly to a presidential campaign. But Timothy Mellon has given $75 million to support Trump, as well as $25 million aiding RFK Jr.'s third party bid. How? Party committees, joint fundraising committees, & Super PACs
www.nytimes.com/2024/07/28/u...
www.nytimes.com/2024/07/28/u...
A Pedigreed Rail Magnate Is Pouring Millions Into Electing Donald Trump
Timothy Mellon, a reclusive heir to a storied fortune, is spending tens of millions to elect Donald J. Trump. Precisely what he wants in return is one of many curiosities surrounding him.
www.nytimes.com
July 29, 2024 at 3:55 PM
Donors can only give $6,600 directly to a presidential campaign. But Timothy Mellon has given $75 million to support Trump, as well as $25 million aiding RFK Jr.'s third party bid. How? Party committees, joint fundraising committees, & Super PACs
www.nytimes.com/2024/07/28/u...
www.nytimes.com/2024/07/28/u...
A Super PAC spent $827,000 on Trump's legal expenses in June. Much less than the average of $4 million per month spent on his legal bills for the past two years. Since 2022 it has spent $83 million of donor money to pay Trump's lawyers, the AP reports.
apnews.com/article/elec...
apnews.com/article/elec...
With trials pushed back, Trump sees first big dip in legal bills
As former President Donald Trump faces a supercharged Democratic fundraising effort, a persistent drag on his campaign’s coffers may be easing: legal expenses.
apnews.com
July 29, 2024 at 3:16 PM
A Super PAC spent $827,000 on Trump's legal expenses in June. Much less than the average of $4 million per month spent on his legal bills for the past two years. Since 2022 it has spent $83 million of donor money to pay Trump's lawyers, the AP reports.
apnews.com/article/elec...
apnews.com/article/elec...
How have Dem fundraising dynamics changed since Biden stepped aside? Teddy Schleifer has an inside look at how the Harris campaign is ramping up its fundraising operation and thinking about how to allocate the VP's scarce time
www.nytimes.com/2024/07/25/u...
www.nytimes.com/2024/07/25/u...
Kamala Harris’s Fund-Raising Machine Cranks Into High Gear
Given weeks instead of years to cultivate donors, the vice president’s allies are armed with a new logo and burning up the phones.
www.nytimes.com
July 26, 2024 at 3:49 PM
How have Dem fundraising dynamics changed since Biden stepped aside? Teddy Schleifer has an inside look at how the Harris campaign is ramping up its fundraising operation and thinking about how to allocate the VP's scarce time
www.nytimes.com/2024/07/25/u...
www.nytimes.com/2024/07/25/u...
While Harris's early fundraising has set records, it takes time to make and execute a plan to spend that money on campaign ads. Republicans are filling that vacuum for now, outspending Democrats by a 25:1 ratio on TV and radio ads, the AP reports
apnews.com/article/adve...
apnews.com/article/adve...
The fight to define Harris is on. And for now, Republicans are dominating Democrats on the airwaves
Kamala Harris is already facing a wave of Republican-backed attack ads questioning her leadership, her progressive record and what she knew about President Joe Biden’s decline.
apnews.com
July 26, 2024 at 3:39 PM
While Harris's early fundraising has set records, it takes time to make and execute a plan to spend that money on campaign ads. Republicans are filling that vacuum for now, outspending Democrats by a 25:1 ratio on TV and radio ads, the AP reports
apnews.com/article/adve...
apnews.com/article/adve...
Super PACs are supposed to be independent of candidates, but many function as a de facto extension of a candidate's campaign committee. Here's an interesting counterexample of a pro-Haley Super PAC endorsing Harris against Haley's wishes
www.cbsnews.com/news/haley-v...
www.cbsnews.com/news/haley-v...
"Haley voters for Harris" group gets cease and desist request from Nikki Haley
The group says they're reviewing the request, but that their effort to engage with Haley voters "will not be suppressed."
www.cbsnews.com
July 26, 2024 at 3:08 PM
Super PACs are supposed to be independent of candidates, but many function as a de facto extension of a candidate's campaign committee. Here's an interesting counterexample of a pro-Haley Super PAC endorsing Harris against Haley's wishes
www.cbsnews.com/news/haley-v...
www.cbsnews.com/news/haley-v...
Can Vice President Harris use the $96 million in the Biden-Harris reelection campaign account? Probably, but she’s likely to face legal challenges. A thread 🧵
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July 24, 2024 at 2:13 PM
Can Vice President Harris use the $96 million in the Biden-Harris reelection campaign account? Probably, but she’s likely to face legal challenges. A thread 🧵
1/x
1/x
My data on presidential travel were featured in this Axios story about how Biden's reelection year trips compare to his predecessors' travels
www.axios.com/2024/07/07/b...
www.axios.com/2024/07/07/b...
Biden goes light on election-year campaign travel
Biden's flight logs from the first half of 2024 reveal a president with about three-quarters of ex-President Obama's travel during his re-election year in 2012.
www.axios.com
July 15, 2024 at 5:43 PM
My data on presidential travel were featured in this Axios story about how Biden's reelection year trips compare to his predecessors' travels
www.axios.com/2024/07/07/b...
www.axios.com/2024/07/07/b...
Biden's online donations surged after Trump's conviction
www.politico.com/news/2024/06...
www.politico.com/news/2024/06...
Biden quietly had his biggest online fundraising day after Trump was convicted
The surge is particularly notable because Trump seized upon his conviction for fundraising purposes — but Biden didn’t.
www.politico.com
June 27, 2024 at 1:33 PM
Biden's online donations surged after Trump's conviction
www.politico.com/news/2024/06...
www.politico.com/news/2024/06...
While the most an individual can give to a candidate's campaign is $3,300 per election, the web of national & state party committees, Super PACs, & other similar groups make it possible for someone to donate $20 million to support a presidential candidate
www.washingtonpost.com/politics/202...
www.washingtonpost.com/politics/202...
Mike Bloomberg gives $20 million to help Biden beat Trump
The former New York mayor, who received a Presidential Medal of Freedom last month, has been one of the biggest Democratic donors in recent years.
www.washingtonpost.com
June 26, 2024 at 7:31 PM
While the most an individual can give to a candidate's campaign is $3,300 per election, the web of national & state party committees, Super PACs, & other similar groups make it possible for someone to donate $20 million to support a presidential candidate
www.washingtonpost.com/politics/202...
www.washingtonpost.com/politics/202...
Another day in the 2024 campaign, another new Super PAC!
www.nytimes.com/2024/06/26/u...
www.nytimes.com/2024/06/26/u...
New Pro-Trump Super PAC Quietly Spends Millions on G.O.P. Ground Game
The group, America PAC, is preparing what appears to be a well-funded push to encourage Republican-leaning voters to cast early or absentee ballots.
www.nytimes.com
June 26, 2024 at 6:12 PM
Another day in the 2024 campaign, another new Super PAC!
www.nytimes.com/2024/06/26/u...
www.nytimes.com/2024/06/26/u...
Trump campaign reportedly planning key fundraising role for VP pick. VP nominees often devote much time to raising campaign cash. Story by @axios.com's Sophia Cai
www.axios.com/2024/06/21/t...
www.axios.com/2024/06/21/t...
Scoop: Trump has big fundraising plans for VP
Whoever Trump picks, raising cash will be one of the would-be VP's top assignments for the rest of the campaign.
www.axios.com
June 22, 2024 at 12:43 PM
Trump campaign reportedly planning key fundraising role for VP pick. VP nominees often devote much time to raising campaign cash. Story by @axios.com's Sophia Cai
www.axios.com/2024/06/21/t...
www.axios.com/2024/06/21/t...
Trump's fundraising is narrowing Biden's financial edge. Media attributing this to post-conviction fundraising surge, but Biden saw similar dynamics four years ago once he became the presumptive nominee.
www.washingtonpost.com/politics/202...
www.washingtonpost.com/politics/202...
Trump’s conviction fueled donation surge that could reshape contest
The Trump campaign, the Republican National Committee and an allied super PAC raised more than $170 million in May, including tens of millions that came in after Trump’s May 30 conviction.
www.washingtonpost.com
June 22, 2024 at 12:38 PM
Trump's fundraising is narrowing Biden's financial edge. Media attributing this to post-conviction fundraising surge, but Biden saw similar dynamics four years ago once he became the presumptive nominee.
www.washingtonpost.com/politics/202...
www.washingtonpost.com/politics/202...
Biden's third multi-president reelection fundraiser brought in $8+ million. Event was headlined by Bill and Hillary Clinton and hosted by Terry McAuliffe.
www.reuters.com/world/us/bid...
www.reuters.com/world/us/bid...
Biden, Clintons raise over $8 million at fundraiser in critical Virginia
U.S. President Joe Biden's re-election effort raised $8.1 million at a fundraiser n Virginia.
www.reuters.com
June 19, 2024 at 2:30 PM
Biden's third multi-president reelection fundraiser brought in $8+ million. Event was headlined by Bill and Hillary Clinton and hosted by Terry McAuliffe.
www.reuters.com/world/us/bid...
www.reuters.com/world/us/bid...