8:35 p.m. ET, April 15, 2019
Sanders has $26.6 million available for 2020 campaign
From CNN's David Wright
Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders set the standard for small-dollar fundraising in the first quarter, bringing in about $18.2 million from individuals, 84% of which came in contributions under $200. Sanders also transferred $2.5 million from his US Senate campaign account to his presidential campaign.
Sanders' first quarter report reflected the grassroots fundraising strength of his 2020 presidential campaign, and he enters the second quarter with a commanding financial lead over the rest of the presidential field. His campaign previously revealed they had received over 900,000 contributions from over 525,000 unique donors -- the most of any 2020 Democrat -- with an average contribution of $20.
Between his 2020 presidential campaign, Senate campaign account and leftover funds from his 2016 presidential campaign, Sanders has $26.6 million of available funds with which he can fund his White House bid going forward. Earlier this month, the campaign reported it had $28 million in cash on hand. The discrepancy between the two numbers was because of late expenses and refunds, campaign spokeswoman Arianna Jones told CNN Monday.
Sanders’ first quarter report also revealed that he spent just over $5 million since entering the race. The campaign spent the most on digital advertising, a little over $1.5 million, followed by “event/sound/staging” for campaign events, totaling nearly $790,000.