U.S. Sen. Michael Bennet . (Getty))
WASHINGTON — U.S. Sen. Michael Bennet bolstered his campaign warchest in the first three months of 2016, raising about $1.8 million in the first quarter and growing his cash-on-hand to $7.6 million — far beyond any of his GOP competitors.
No one in the crowded Republican field looking to unseat him has reported more than $1 million cash-on-hand, and whoever emerges from the likely will drained of resources just trying to win the June 28 primary.
Bennet’s cash advantage isn’t a shock. Big-name donors tend to favor incumbents — as they’re already in a place to influence legislation — and Bennet, a Colorado Democrat, is well-connected to contributors nationwide thanks to his stint as chair of the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, a major fundraising arm of the party.
Even so, Bennet’s campaign is saying that more than 80 percent of the donations they received last quarter were $100 or less, far below the legal limit. Exactly who is giving to Bennet, however, won’t be available for several days, as federal officials still are processing his fundraising report before making it public.
“Michael Bennet is thankful for the outpouring of support he’s received from donors across Colorado and proud of his record of taking on Washington dysfunction, bringing common sense to D.C. and getting things done for Colorado,” said Bennet spokesman Andrew Zucker in a statement.
