Presidential candidates rake millions in fund raising

WASHINGTON: With the primary season entering a critical phase, the leading presidential candidates have raised millions in funds from their supporters to use against their rivals.

Topping the list is Democratic presidential candidate Senator Bernie Sanders with $46 million in March, followed by his party's front runner Hillary Clinton with about $29 million.

The GOP presidential front-runner who is self-funding his campaign has allocated $20 million for the rest of the primary season, his rival Senator Ted Cruz from Texas raised $12.5 million in March, information submitted to the Federal Election Commission said.

Governor John Kasich of Ohio who has managed just one win so far, raised less than one third of that of Cruz.

Interestingly, Sanders has out-raised his primary rival and front runner Clinton for three successive months.

"Bernie's grassroots campaign has now out-raised Secretary Hillary Clinton for three months straight," said Jeff Weaver, Sanders' campaign manager.

"We're honoured to have the strong support of 2.2 million passionate donors who have given more than 7 million times. It's because of them that our campaign can take on the establishment and win eight of the last ten primaries and caucuses," he said.

The Clinton campaign said it began April with about $29 million in the bank after raising more than $29.3 million in primary contributions in March thanks to more than 670,000 contributions from about 400,000 people during the month.

The average donation was about $45 and more than 50 per cent of the $29.3 million came from grassroots online donations.

Clinton now has more than 1,100,000 contributors.

"We head into the homestretch of the primary in strong financial shape with the resources we need to continue to run a competitive race through the end of the primary and the road ahead," said Hillary for America Campaign Manager, Robby Mook.

Meanwhile Politico reported that Trump has committed USD 20 million to his campaign for the rest of the primary season.

Trump's main rival Cruz raised USD 12.5 million in March. He has $8.8 million in the bank at the end of March.