What Does It Cost to Run for President?

The 2020 election is coming up, and a field of over two dozen candidates for the Democratic Party has narrowed down to eight – but, eventually, there can be only one. For those interested in following the money in politics, the trail of campaign spending is complex, but interesting.

Joe Biden

For the party establishment and the mainstream media, Joe Biden remains the safe choice to take on President Donald Trump in November, which could explain the frustration over far-left contenders soaring to the top of the polls. Without at least second-place finishes in the next few contests, the path to a Biden victory may be disappearing.

Received: $61.038 million – Spending: $52.092 million – National Polling: 17.3%

Michael Bloomberg

Michael Bloomberg suffered during the Nevada debates. He did not compete in the Nevada caucuses, nor will he be on the ballot for the South Carolina primary. He has placed all his bets on the delegate rich Super Tuesday. Can online, radio, and television ads be enough to drown out the terrible press he generated from his horrendous performance in the Nevada debate?

Received: $464.145 million – Spending: $409.006 million – National Polling: 15.2%

Pete Buttigieg

From mayor of a small town to formidable White House hopeful, Pete Buttigieg has certainly come out of nowhere. After a couple of excellent showings in the early stages of the primary season, Buttigieg hopes to sustain his momentum through the early voting states.

Received: $76.778 million – Spending: $62.259 million – National Polling: 10%

Tulsi Gabbard

Representative Tulsi Gabbard (D-HI) placed all her bets on New Hampshire and failed to make a dent in the voting. She is now concentrating on South Carolina, where she is polling at less than 2%.

Received: $13.705 million – Spending: $11.695 million – National Polling: 1.6%

Amy Klobuchar

When the primary season started, could anyone have imagined that Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) would last this long? Can she continue her miraculous run, or will Buttigieg’s persistent finger-wag be enough to sink her efforts?

Received: $28.95 million – Spending: $23.976 million – National Polling: 6.7%

Bernie Sanders

By now, it almost seems like Sen. Sanders against the world. The party establishment, the legacy press, and anyone who desperately wants to oust Trump are trying to keep Sanders from the nomination.

In the end, however, the media bias against his campaign could be helping him more than hurting him.

Received: $134.151 million – Spending: $121.980 million – National Polling: 28.7%

Tom Steyer

Tom Steyer seemed doomed to never win the nomination: He is a billionaire who made his fortune on Wall Street and in the coal mining industry. Since even before he announced his candidacy, Steyer has been a one-issue candidate: impeaching President Trump. But the Democratic Party already possesses an enormous supply of those individuals.

Received: $206.286 million – Spending: $200.863 million – National Polling: 2.2%

Elizabeth Warren

Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) had been considered a top-tier candidate since day one of her campaign. However, following a couple of disastrous performances in the early stages, she has devolved into a mid-tier challenger at best. It might be premature to declare her candidacy dead, but she will need to appear in at least the top three on Super Tuesday to sustain her bid to become the first female president.

Received: $81.997 million – Spending: $68.282 million – National Polling: 12.7%