Trump's re-election campaign raised more than $30 million in first-quarter of 2019

[April 15, 2019]    WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. President Donald Trump's re-election campaign raised more than $30 million in the first quarter of 2019, his campaign said on Sunday, far outpacing the total raised by individual Democratic candidates during that period.

President Donald Trump pauses during his declaration of a national emergency at the U.S.-Mexico border during remarks about border security in the Rose Garden of the White House in Washington, U.S., February 15, 2019. REUTERS/Carlos Barria/File Photo

Trump's first-quarter haul, leaving his 2020 re-election effort with $40.8 million in cash, showed Republican donors were willing to invest in him as he girds for what is likely to be a difficult bid for a second term.

Senators Bernie Sanders and Kamala Harris have led the field of Democratic contenders in fundraising so far in 2019, raising $18.2 million and $12 million respectively in the first quarter. Sanders' campaign said it received an average donation of $20 during the first quarter.

The Trump campaign said its average donation during the same period was $34.26, and that nearly 99 percent of its donations were $200 or less.

The Republican National Committee brought in $45.8 million in the first quarter. Trump’s re-election campaign is raising money along aside the RNC in what is called a Trump Victory effort.

(Reporting by Steve Holland; Editing by Peter Cooney)

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