Beto O'Rourke might be winning the money primary — at least by one metric


Former congressman Beto O'Rourke has raised $9.4 million in 18 days, bringing in more money per day than his 2020 competitors, his campaign announced on Wednesday.
O'Rourke's campaign said it took in 218,000 contributions during that time, with an average donation of $43, and with a majority of donors being people who didn't give to his 2018 Senate campaign, per The New York Times. The campaign raised an average of $522,000 per day, putting his pace above that of Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), who has raised $444,000 per day, Sen. Kamala Harris (D-Calif.), who has raised $171,000 per day, and South Bend Mayor Pete Buttigieg, who has raised $103,000 per day, per NBC News' Mark Murray. Other Democrats have not yet announced their fundraising totals.
O'Rourke had previously announced $6.1 million raised in his campaign's first 24 hours, meaning he raised an additional $3.3 million since then. NBC's Ben Kamisar points out that if you discount the first 24 hours, though, Sanders has actually raised more money per day than O'Rourke: $305,000 per day vs. $194,117 per day.
Subscribe to 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.
O'Rourke's campaign is the latest to announce its fundraising total for the first quarter of 2018, with Sanders having raised $18.2 million, Harris having raised $12 million, and Buttigieg having raised $7 million. Although O'Rourke's total is below that of Sanders and Harris, they also announced before he did — Sanders declared his candidacy in February and Harris announced in January, while O'Rourke did not enter the race until March 14.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Brendan worked as a culture writer at The Week from 2018 to 2023, covering the entertainment industry, including film reviews, television recaps, awards season, the box office, major movie franchises and Hollywood gossip. He has written about film and television for outlets including Bloody Disgusting, Showbiz Cheat Sheet, Heavy and The Celebrity Cafe.
-
Trump's actions cut a wide swath across Hawaii's economy
In Depth The state's tourism and farming sectors are two of the largest hit industries
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
5 immersive books to read this April for a brief escape
The Week Recommends A dystopian tale takes us to the library, a journalist's ode to her refugee parents and more
By Theara Coleman, The Week US Published
-
'The winners and losers of AI may not be where we expect'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
Trump rolls out tariffs on virtually all imports
Speed Read On "Liberation Day," Trump announced a 10% baseline tariff on all imports to America and higher reciprocal tariffs for some 60 other countries
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Sen. Booker's 25-hour speech beats Thurmond
Speed Read He spoke for the longest time in recorded Senate history, protesting the Trump administration's policies
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Bondi seeks death penalty for Luigi Mangione
Speed Read Mangione was charged with fatally shooting UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson last year
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Democrats win costly Wisconsin court seat
Speed Read Democrats prevailed in an election for the Wisconsin Supreme Court despite Elon Musk's robust financial support of the Republican candidate
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
WHCA rejects White House press seating grab
Speed Read The White House Correspondents' Association objected to the Trump administration's bid to control where journalists sit during press briefings
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Trump sends more migrants to El Salvador jail
Speed Read Another 17 Venezuelan alleged gang members have been deported to a notorious prison
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Trump 'not joking' about unconstitutional 3rd term
Speed Read The president seems to be serious about seeking a third term in 2028
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
The JFK files: the truth at last?
In The Spotlight More than 64,000 previously classified documents relating the 1963 assassination of John F. Kennedy have been released by the Trump administration
By The Week Staff Published