Scott Powers
U.S. Rep. Alan Grayson‘s U.S. Senate campaign reported raising about $591,000 in the fourth quarter of 2015, a haul that may compare well with Republicans in the race but falls far short of Democratic rival U.S. Rep. Patrick Murphy.
According to a release issued by his campaign Friday, Grayson used an average donation of just $28 from thousands of donors, plus a $100,000 loan from himself, to reach his $591,000 haul.
By contrast, Murphy reported raising about $1.46 million in the three months ending Dec. 31, 2015. U.S. Rep. Ron DeSantis, who had been leading the Republican pack of candidates for the seat, reported raising $772,000.
All disclosures were made voluntarily through news releases without much detail. Full disclosure occurs through the Federal Elections Commission. But U.S. Senate candidates can — and most do — file their campaign finance reports on paper. So it typically takes the commission several weeks to process them and publish the details for public review.
On Friday, Grayson’s campaign also sought to show the first quarter of 2016 was starting at a much better pace, noting that January set a one-month record for the campaign.
The campaign also noted that pledges of monthly contributions made in the fourth quarter will total more than $60,000 a month going forward.
“Grassroots donors are energized by Congressman Grayson’s call to expand Medicare and Social Security, and they know he’ll really fight for debt-free college and bringing an end to gerrymandering and dirty money in politics,” campaign political director Mario Piscatella stated in the release. “This campaign is fueled by retirees and veterans, and people who work in classrooms or drive buses, not wealthy lobbyists and special interests. So when Rep. Grayson says he’s ‘unbought and unbossed,’ Democrats believe him.”
