President Obama outraises GOP field in N.H.; Jon Huntsman raises just $1,000 in state
As President Obama ramps up his campaign operation, his New Hampshire donors are turning out strong.
Jon HuntsmanMatthew Cavanuagh/Getty Images
The Democrat has raised more money in New Hampshire than any of his Republican rivals – though former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney comes close. Obama also has just slightly fewer donors alone than all of his potential Republican rivals combined.
One of them, former Utah Governor Jon Huntsman, who has moved his campaign operation to New Hampshire and staked his candidacy on performing well in lead presidential primary state, has received only two donations totalling $1,000 from New Hampshire residents since announcing his candidacy.
Huntsman campaign spokesman Michael Levoff declined to comment on the relatively anemic figure.
But he said Huntsman has not held a single fund-raiser in New Hampshire, though he has held 85 public events, meet-and-greets, town hall meetings, and business visits.
“We’re here for votes,’’ Levoff said.
Nationally, Huntsman has also struggled to raise money. Of the $4.5 million his campaign has taken in, half came from his own pocket.
An Obama spokesman had a more uplifting view of the president’s results.
“There’s a recognition that this is going to be a challenging election, so people are stepping up to make sure the campaign is funded properly for the November election,’’ said Jim Demers, a New Hampshire lobbyist who co-chaired Obama’s 2008 campaign and is now on the president’s steering committee.
According to a Globe analysis of filings with the Federal Election Commission, Obama has raised $227,600 from 700 New Hampshire donors in the past two fund-raising quarters, which ended Sept. 30.
While the president has not held any fund-raisers in New Hampshire, per se, Demers said that during the quarter that ended in June, Demers started reaching out to major donors and steering committee members from Obama’s 2008 campaign.
He simply asked them to contribute, and many did.
Most of Obama’s haul came between July and September, as the campaign brought in state director Pete Kavanaugh and several field coordinators and started reaching out to grassroots supporters, similar to Obama’s 2008 effort.
“There is a real concerted effort to get small donations, particularly through the online site and emails,’’ Demers said.
Romney, who has a summer home in Wolfeboro, N.H., and who has also staked his bid for the GOP nomination on a win in New Hampshire, came close to Obama’s totals.
Romney raised $216,800 in the state, from 265 donors.
The huge disparity in donor numbers – 700 vs. 265 – points to the fact that Romney has been benefitting from more top-dollar donations.
His average contribution in New Hampshire was $818, while Obama – who has been getting much smaller donations from more individuals – had an average donation of $325.
New Hampshire is not a major fund-raising state; candidates are more likely to look for votes in the state and and money in New York or California.
Mitt RomneyBruce Smith/AP
But Romney has held a few fund-raisers in New Hampshire, including a couple at his lake house. And he benefits from a donor network established during his 2008 presidential bid.
Spokesman Ryan Williams said Romney is not worried that Obama has more donors in New Hampshire than any of the Republicans.
“Governor Romney consistently outpolls President Obama in head-to-head polling,’’ Williams said. “He has broad support in New Hampshire with Republicans, independents, and Democrats who are fed up with President Obama’s failed leadership and fiscal policies. Poll after poll shows Romney is more popular and stands to win the state in the general election if he secures the nomination.’’
By far, the next most prolific New Hampshire fund-raiser was Representative Ron Paul of Texas, who raised $82,500.
Paul has raised money almost exclusively from Internet fund-raisers – often using 24-hour “moneybombs,’’ where supporters organize online fund-raising drives. Paul benefitted the most from smaller donations. His money came from 354 donors, with an average donation of just $233.
Paul has traditionally attracted a young audience – college students and young adults – who may not have as much money as older voters.
Campaign spokeswoman Kate Schackai said Paul has attracted middle-class and lower middle-class individuals who have been hit hard by the recession.
“Our campaign is pretty pleased to be drawing small donors from a lot of people,’’ Schackai said. “Unlike other candidates we’re not in a position where folks may max out and not be able to come back.’’
The remaining candidates all raised much less money in New Hampshire.
Texas Governor Rick Perry, who only joined the race in August, raised $33,500 from 36 donors. Businessman Herman Cain, whose popularity has been growing recently, took in $18,300 from 32 donors.
They were followed by former New Mexico Governor Gary Johnson ($11,500); Representative Michele Bachmann of Minnesota ($10,485); and former Pennsylvania Senator Rick Santorum ($8,225). Trailing the pack were former House Speaker Newt Gingrich ($1,650) and Huntsman ($1,000).
The New Hampshire results largely mirror the national trend, with Obama out front in fund-raising, followed by Romney. Perry and Paul trail Romney, with the remaining candidates lagging far behind.
Nationally, Perry raised more money than Paul. But in New Hampshire, their fund-raising totals are consistent with their polling numbers, where Paul has generally enjoyed greater support than Perry.
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