Attorney General Richard Blumenthal says he raised $1.87 million from more than 2,300 donors in the first fundraising quarter since he entered the U.S. Senate race.
The total is among the highest amounts in state history for a three-month period.
The Federal Election Commission will not make his fundraising details available until after the April 15 filing deadline.
In a prepared statement released today, Blumenthal’s campaign chairman, Mike Cacace, was quoted as saying that Blumenthal was successful because of a strong, statewide grassroots fundraising effort. The release reports that more than 56 percent of the total contributions came from individuals who gave $200 or less.
Blumenthal’s total of more than 2,300 donors in only three months is far, far more than any other candidate this year. In the entire 2002 election cycle at the peak of his popularity, then-Gov. John G. Rowland had fewer than 2,500 donors for the entire cycle.
In the U.S. Senate race, Republican candidate Linda McMahon has already spent more than $6 million, including plenty of money on television commercials. Republican Rob Simmons, who is battling to win the party’s convention in May, has not yet broadcast any commercials. Investor Peter Schiff is currently on the air with a 30-second spot.
Blumenthal’s opponent, Merrick Alpert, is far behind in the money-raising race for a potential Democratic primary that would be held on August 10.
Cacace said Blumenthal’s fundraising success is important because he may be up against a “self-funded opponent who intends to spend $50 million of her own money on this race.”
Cacace was referring to McMahon — the race’s Republican front runner.
“We are taking nothing for granted, and Dick will continue to work as tirelessly as he always has to earn the support of Connecticut’s voters in November,” Cacace said, noting that the campaign has nearly $1.6 million cash on hand.