Beto O’Rourke, Ted Cruz’s Democratic challenger in the 2018 election, had a monster fundraising quarter.
The current Texas congressman hauled in $6.7 million in the first quarter of 2018. The sum nearly tripled his second largest fundraising quarter since announcing his Senate bid.
Rep. Beto O’Rourke (D-TX) speaks to a group of supporters at Scholz Garten on April 1, 2017 in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Drew Anthony Smith/Getty Images)
“Campaigning in a grassroots fashion while raising more than $6.7 million from 141,000 contributions, we are the story of a campaign powered by people who are standing up to special interests,” O’Rourke said in a statement accompanying the release of his financials.
BREAKING: We raised $6.7 million in the first 3 months of 2018. No PACs, no special interests. Just people. More than 141,000 grassroots contributions. Grateful to all of you. RT to share our news. pic.twitter.com/vt0h5Dpg9Q
— Beto O’Rourke (@BetoORourke) April 3, 2018
According to The Texas Tribune, Cruz has not released his first quarter numbers. He reported just over $800,000 raised through the first 45 days of 2018. He has until April 15 to provide the information to the Federal Election Commission.
Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) speaks during a rally to launch his re-election campaign at the Redneck Country Club on April 2, 2018 in Stafford, Texas. (Photo by Erich Schlegel/Getty Images)
Heading into the primaries, Cruz’s seat was considered at risk of falling to the “blue wave,” yet voter turnout painted a very different picture.
Analysts had predicted a record number of Democrats to show up to the polls — and they did, by 84 percent more than in 2014 — but still cast nearly half a million fewer ballots than Republicans. (RELATED: Reports Of Texas Blue Wave Overhyped)
Cruz’s office did not respond to a request for comment from The Daily Caller.