Texans are donating more money to Democratic presidential candidates – a lot more.
The Houston Chronicle’s Jeremy Wallace has been reporting on the trend. He says donations to Democrats running for president have tripled over what they were during the 2016 cycle.
“It’s amazing how many people are interested in giving donations to presidential candidates this year than we were talking about even four years ago,” Wallace says.
Wallace says 8,500 Texas donors have contributed to Democratic candidates this year, as compared to 1,400 four years ago. So far, those donors have given $6 million to announced candidates.
Wallace says contributions have gone to the two leading Texans in the race, former Congressman Beto O’Rourke and former Housing and Urban Development Secretary Julián Castro. O’Rourke got $3.1 million from Texans. But other candidates have seen significant Texas support, too.
“We found 272 donors who gave to Beto O’Rourke, but also gave to other Democratic candidates,” Wallace says.
Candidates are more active in Texas, Wallace says. Houston has played host to more than 40 candidate events, and the city will host the next Democratic debate, in September. When in Texas for political events, candidates often schedule fundraisers, too
“I think the Democratic candidates are coming here for events, and what they’re often doing is doubling up,” Wallace says.
The high fundraising numbers tell Wallace that there’s more excitement for the 2020 electoral cycle than is normal. This follows encouraging results for Democrats in recent elections and voter registration.
“It all shows that whatever has been happening in Texas is continuing to happen,” he says. “I think it feels like they’re certainly bringing a lot more muscle into the 2020 presidential campaign than we’ve seen Democrats bring in past cycles.”
Written by Shelly Brisbin.
