Elizabeth Warren Campaign Fundraising Down 30 Percent in Fourth Quarter

Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) speaks at a campaign stop in Cedar Rapids, Iowa on Dec. 21, 2019. Scott Olson/Getty Images

Sen. Elizabeth Warren’s (D-Mass.) campaign said in a fundraising plea to supporters that it has only raised $17 million so far in the fourth quarter of 2019.

If the figure stood, it would be down 30 percent from the $24.6 million Warren’s campaign brought in during the third quarter.

According to the email, Warren’s campaign is aiming to get to $20 million by the end of the year. The message was sent to supporters on Dec. 27, so the campaign is aiming to raise $3 million in five days.

“In this email, we’re going to do something different—something a little risky,” the email stated. “Traditionally, campaigns wait until after the mandatory FEC reporting deadlines to announce how much they’ve raised. But this isn’t a traditional campaign. We’re a grassroots team, and you should know exactly where things stand right now—and exactly why it’s important that you give.”

“So far this quarter, we’ve raised a little over $17 million. That’s a good chunk behind where we were at this time last quarter,” it continued. “The good news? We have until midnight on December 31 to get things going.”

“So Elizabeth Warren needs your help. Right now. The goal is $20 million for the quarter—that’s how much the campaign needs to keep our plans on track,” the email concluded. Warren’s campaign website also greets visitors with a similar message and urges people to donate.

The Warren campaign didn’t immediately return a request for comment. Even if she hit $20 million, it would be an 18.7 percent drop from the third quarter.

Democratic presidential candidates South Bend Mayor Pete Buttigieg, left, and Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) at a Democratic presidential debate in Los Angeles, California on Dec. 19, 2019. Frederic J. Brown/AFP via Getty Images

Warren has prominently shied away from holding fundraising events with rich donors in recent months and made jabs at rivals continuing to hold events in pricey venues, especially South Bend Mayor Pete Buttigieg.

Warren attacked Buttigieg at the last debate over a fundraiser he held at a winery, telling the audience: “We made the decision many years ago that rich people in smoke-filled rooms would not pick the next president of the United States. Billionaires in wine caves should not pick the next president of the United States.”

“I do not sell access to my time. I don’t do call time with millionaires and billionaires,” Warren added later, earning a “hold on a second, as of when Senator?” remark from Buttigieg.

“Senator, your presidential campaign right now, as we speak, is funded in part by money that you transferred, having raised it at those exact same big-ticket fundraisers you now denounce,” Buttigieg said.

Warren was near the top of the field over the summer and fall, according to polls, but she’s dropped in recent surveys to third place behind former Vice President Joe Biden and Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.).

Warren’s $24.6 million last quarter was just behind Sanders, who hauled in over $25 million, and well ahead of Biden’s $15 million. Biden’s campaign said it expects to have raised more in the fourth quarter than the third quarter but didn’t state any figures as of yet.

Buttigieg raised $19.1 million last quarter.