Biden campaign secures $53 million in February, gearing up for general election with strong financial backing

President Joe Biden's campaign raised $53 million in February, showing increased support from donors as the election rivalry between Biden and former President Donald Trump became more apparent.

The total amount, which includes donations to Biden's campaign, the Democratic National Committee, and other joint fundraising committees, added to the $155 million that Biden's team had in reserves by the end of February.

Biden has the most cash of any Democratic presidential candidate at this point in the election cycle, giving him a significant advantage over Trump, whose fundraising has fallen behind the Democrats throughout the campaign season.

Despite facing low approval ratings and polls showing him behind Trump in key battleground states, fundraising has been a positive aspect of Biden's reelection campaign.

Biden's team is expanding its presence in battleground states this month, with plans to open 100 offices and hire 350 staff members. The team is well-funded and ready to ramp up their operations.

President Biden has been actively traveling to key battleground states as the general election campaign begins. He is scheduled to make more stops in Nevada and Arizona this week. The campaign is responsible for covering the costs of political travel, including reimbursing the government for the use of Air Force One and other travel expenses.

The campaign has heavily invested in television advertising, including a $30 million initiative in battleground states following Biden's State of the Union address. The speech generated $10 million in donations, a significant amount not reflected in February's numbers.

In February, Biden's fundraising efforts included a three-day trip to California expected to raise up to $10 million. Other successful fundraising moments were during the Republican primary in South Carolina, bringing in $1.6 million, and an email from first lady Jill Biden after the release of special counsel Robert Hur's report, which raised $853,000.

A contest for supporters to win tickets to an event next month with Biden, Barack Obama, and Bill Clinton brought in $4 million in February.

The Biden campaign has received donations from 1.3 million donors since the start of the campaign last year. 97% of the donations were under $200. February was the strongest grassroots fundraising month so far for the campaign.

Rob Flaherty, Biden's deputy campaign manager, emphasized the importance of grassroots enthusiasm as a barometer at this stage of the race. He mentioned that the goal is to establish a high baseline of support from enthusiastic backers, which will then surge as the campaign progresses.

In 2020, Biden received donations from over 6 million individuals, indicating potential for a growing number of donors to come forward later in the year.

Biden campaign officials believe that as more Americans come to terms with the idea of a Biden-Trump rematch, and the possibility of Trump returning to the White House, more contributions will be generated.

This shift has already begun in some ways. In February, a number of email requests that highlighted Trump as the probable GOP nominee and emphasized reminders of the ex-president’s track record led to a surge in grassroots donations for Biden. Overall, fundraising from emails for the Biden team rose by 40% compared to the prior month.

Flaherty mentioned that one change that occurred this month was the increased emphasis on the contrast. Previously, the focus was on discussing the president, the agenda, and other related topics to raise attention. However, now there is a noticeable shift towards highlighting anti-Trump content.

Editor's P/S:

President Biden's strong fundraising performance in February underscores the growing support he enjoys among donors and the Democratic base. Despite facing political challenges, Biden's financial advantage over Trump gives him a significant edge in the upcoming election. His campaign's focus on grassroots fundraising has proven successful, with 97% of donations under $200, indicating a broad base of support.

Biden's campaign is strategically investing in battleground states, expanding its presence and ramping up its operations. The team's emphasis on highlighting the contrast with Trump has also proven effective in driving grassroots donations. As the election season progresses, Biden's campaign aims to build on its momentum and mobilize its supporters to secure a victory in November.