According to an analysis by POLITICO, approximately 75% of DeSantis' campaign funds, totaling $31.3 million raised through September, came from donors who have already given the maximum primary amount of $3,300. In comparison, other candidates like Nikki Haley, Tim Scott, and Vivek Ramaswamy, have a smaller percentage of maxed-out donors.
DeSantis' campaign sees this as a sign of strength, emphasizing the broad support from over 100,000 grassroots conservative donors. However, it poses a challenge as many of his top donors can't contribute more, and a significant portion of the funds raised can only be used for the general election.
As of the end of September, less than half of the cash in DeSantis' campaign account is available for the primary, which is a smaller share compared to other major Republican candidates. This situation requires DeSantis to expand his donor base to secure more funds for the primary season.
While big donors can still contribute to the super PAC supporting DeSantis, Never Back Down, legal restrictions prevent coordination with the campaign. As the primary season approaches, DeSantis will need to strategically manage his campaign finances to maintain a competitive edge.
Despite these challenges, DeSantis has made efforts to appeal to top GOP donors, emphasizing his viability against Trump in the Republican primary. The campaign has also implemented cost-cutting measures in recent months, as indicated by a campaign finance report filed with the Federal Election Commission.
DeSantis' reliance on larger donors sets him apart from Trump, who has historically thrived on small-dollar donations. Trump's campaign saw a substantial contribution from smaller donors, providing a significant portion of his campaign funds.
While DeSantis has taken steps to adjust his financial strategy, the coming months will be crucial in securing new donors and effectively allocating campaign resources for a competitive primary season.