DeSantis also raised $2.8 million from small donors who gave less than $200, a number most candidates in the race would envy but likely trail significantly behind Donald Trump, who was yet to formally present his speech on Saturday afternoon. relationship. A higher share of donations from small donors is a better signal for future fundraisers, as small donors can be repeat donors.
But perhaps the most significant data point was the pace of donations. More than one-third of DeSantis’ detailed donations ($5.8 million of $16.8 million in donations from those who donated more than $200) it arrived within the first 10 days of its campaign. A large portion of his donations—$351,000—came through a transfer from the DeSantis Draft 2024 Fund.
Overall, the report DeSantis filed with the Federal Election Commission on Saturday is a microcosm of his campaign to date. The Florida governor remains in a position to be a major player in the race, even one that could fight for the Trump nomination, with more than $12 million in cash at the end of the quarter. But it seems to depend on the major donors. And the initial appeal of his candidacy seems to have faded a bit.
DeSantis still has plenty of resources at his disposal. A super PAC backing him has attracted more than $100 million, though much of that has been passed on by his state-level committee. (The group, Never Back Down, is not due to file its reports with the FEC until later this month.)
Among the major expenses of the DeSantis campaign were those typically related to fundraising. His campaign has spent more than $900,000 on merchandise, archiving shows, and $883,000 on digital fundraising consulting. Offerings of yard signs, tumblers and other merchandise in exchange for donations have been a regular component of the DeSantis campaign messaging program.
Other significant spending categories included $867,000 for media placements and $730,000 for direct mail, the filing showed.
The campaign also spent heavily on payroll, with around 90 staff members on the books.
