Ben Carson’s money haul: $10.5 million

Politico ^ | 07/01/2015 | Jonathan Topaz

[GIdget2004]

Retired neurosurgeon Ben Carson is on track to raise $10.5 million during his first quarter as a candidate, a senior adviser said Wednesday.

Carson senior adviser Mike Murray added that the Republican’s money haul included 210,000 contributions with an average gift of $50. “We obviously set some goals internally. We’ve exceeded those goals,” Murray said.

He declined to offer more details, such as how much cash the campaign has on hand and the total number of expenditures. Murray said that the “bulk” of donations are $200 or lower, but declined to offer a specific percentage. -

The Carson campaign has 50 staffers on payroll — half at campaign headquarters and half in the field, according to spokesman Doug Watts.

Asked about the campaign’s cash on hand, Watts also declined to provide a number, but said the campaign has “plenty of cash.” He said that Carson made a $25,000 loan early on in the run-up to the exploratory committee launched in March, which remains on the books.

Watts, who said the campaign had received donations from all 50 states, added that there’s “no campaign debt, and there never will be” — with the exception of the candidate’s loan.

Earlier Wednesday, Hillary Clinton’s campaign announced that the Democratic front-runner is on track to raise $45 million in her first quarter as a candidate

[Vigilanteman]

We could do a lot worse than Ben Carson. I count only two candidates from the crowded field (Cruz & Walker) as better.

[Fido969]

Whoo-hoo! A lot of money to be made running for president!

[Mariner]

Carson is a good man.

But you'll not hear his name beyond Iowa and NH, if he makes it that far.

The ad blitz will start early this cycle, with 10's of million spent before Christmas BY EVERY COMPETING CANDIDATE.

Support a candidate that will be on the map in June, 2016.

[lquist1]

“We could do a lot worse than Ben Carson. I count only two candidates from the crowded field (Cruz & Walker) as better.”

I would put Jindal in there too, but I see what you’re saying. He is a great man, but I’m not sure he is ready for a grueling presidential campaign. I’m not for calling on anyone to get out of the race, but I am focused on Cruz and Walker (in that order at this point), and with those two in the race, I really see no need to go with a guy like Carson.

[Vigilanteman]

Agreed. I’d certainly include Jindal on the list of people I could support as well, though I understand he isn’t exactly popular in his home state right now.