Jeb Bush is crushing Hillary Clinton in the 2016 money race


Wednesday was the deadline for 2016 presidential campaigns to file financial reports with the Federal Elections Commission, and two things are already apparent: There will be a lot of money in the 2016 presidential race, and Jeb Bush is pulling ahead, thanks mostly to his super PAC Right to Rise:
Bush, the Republican former governor or Florida, has raised $11.4 million in his 16 days as an official candidate — $9.6 million from people who maxed out their donations at $2,700 — and Right to Rise said last week it has raked in $103 million, bringing Bush's total so far to $119 million (the extra $5 million is from other super PACs). All together, Republican candidates have brought in more than $280 million for an election 16 months away, Politico notes.
Hillary Clinton, the Democratic frontrunner, has a total of $71.5 million, with $47.5 million in contributions directly to her campaign and $24 million to allied super PACs, primarily Priorities USA Action. Only about 17 percent of Clinton's direct haul came from small donations of $200 or less. Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Clinton's closest rival for the Democratic nomination, has brought in $15.2 million, mostly from smaller donors. Clinton has used her money differently, too, spending more than $18 million from her war chest to set up a national campaign.
The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Peter has worked as a news and culture writer and editor at The Week since the site's launch in 2008. He covers politics, world affairs, religion and cultural currents. His journalism career began as a copy editor at a financial newswire and has included editorial positions at The New York Times Magazine, Facts on File, and Oregon State University.
-
Cyrano de Bergerac: a ‘huge-hearted’ production
The Week Recommends This ‘playful’ and ‘poignant’ rendition brings new life to the ‘gilet-sporting, verse-spouting’ titular soldier
-
The Chinese threat: No. 10’s evidence leads to more questions
Talking Point Keir Starmer is under pressure after collapsed spying trial
-
I Swear: a ‘warm-hearted’ comedy-drama
The Week Recommends While ‘inescapably hilarious’, the drama also lifts the lid on John Davidson’s experiences with Tourette syndrome
-
‘Vile, racist’ leaked chats roil Young Republicans
Speed Read Leaders of Young Republican groups made racist, antisemitic and violent comments in private chats
-
Trump ties $20B Argentina bailout to Milei votes
speed read Trump will boost Argentina’s economy — if the country’s right-wing president wins upcoming elections
-
News organizations reject Pentagon restrictions
Speed Read The proposed policy is Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s latest move to limit press access at the Pentagon
-
Trump declares end to Gaza war, ‘dawn’ of new Mideast
Speed Read Hamas freed the final 20 living Israeli hostages and Israel released thousands of Palestinian detainees
-
Trump DOJ indicts New York AG Letitia James
Speed Read New York Attorney General Letitia James was indicted as Trump’s Justice Department pursues charges against his political opponents
-
Judge blocks Trump’s Guard deployment in Chicago
Speed Read The president is temporarily blocked from federalizing the Illinois National Guard or deploying any Guard units in the state
-
Trump urges jail for Illinois, Chicago leaders
Speed Read The Texas National Guard begin operations in the Chicago area
-
Bondi stonewalls on Epstein, Comey in Senate face-off
Speed Read Attorney General Pam Bondi denied charges of using the Justice Department in service of Trump’s personal vendettas