People power! Texas Democrat outraised Ted Cruz in Senate race-no PACs, all small dollar donors

[babylonsister]

https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2018/1/29/1736902/-People-power-Texas-Democrat-outraised-Ted-Cruz-in-Senate-race-no-PACs-all-small-dollar-donors

People power! Texas Democrat outraised Ted Cruz in Senate race—no PACs, all small dollar donors
By Jen Hayden
Monday Jan 29, 2018 · 1:57 PM EST


Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX) probably thought he was going to cakewalk to another six-year term in the U.S. Senate with little effort. Surprise! Although he’s still favored, he’s facing a much greater challenge than anticipated. Democrat Beto O’Rourke is coming on strong, drawing packed crowds and outraising Cruz in the last quarter of fundraising. From The Dallas Morning News:

According to figures released by the O’Rourke campaign — a few days ahead of when federal filings are due — the congressman exceeded his previous quarterly tallies and raised the $2.44 million through 55,567 donations between September and December.

O’Rourke has sworn off the help of political action committees. According to the campaign, more than 70 percent of the last quarter’s donations came from Texas, and none of the funds came from loans.

Cruz hauled in $1.9 million in donations during the same quarter. It was the second time O’Rourke topped Cruz in a fundraising quarter, but Cruz still holds a massive cash advantage:

But the sitting senator raised a total of $7.1 million in 2017, according to a spokeswoman for Cruz, and closed the year with a sizable $7.3 million in cash on hand. O'Rourke heads into the election year with $4.6 million in cash.

O’Rourke faces long odds to win the seat, but at least one recent poll shows him within single digits of the incumbent:

End Citizens United, a campaign finance reform group, released a poll conducted by Public Policy Polling that finds Cruz leading O'Rourke by 8 points, 45 to 37 percent. Eighteen percent were undecided.

Crazier things have happened. Just ask Senator Doug Jones of Alabama!

[NCTraveler]

1. ORourke seems to be doing a solid job.

I thought he had to win the primary first. I didn’t think he was currently facing Cruz. I do like the messaging and outlook toward Cruz. The image alone gives a certian look. Clinton did the same by campaigning against Republicans early.