US democrats smash fundraising records after Ginsburg death
[LOS ANGELES] Democratic donors smashed fundraising records after the death on Friday of US Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, funneling more than US$90 million to candidates and progressive groups in just over 24 hours.
As Democrats and Republicans braced for a nomination fight that has upended the November presidential election, the online fundraising organisation ActBlue said grassroots donors gave US$91.4 million to Democratic candidates and causes in the 28 hours after 8pm on Friday, around the time the news of Ginsburg's death broke.
That figure, coming from 1.5 million donations, broke the all-time ActBlue records for dollars raised in one day and dollars raised in one hour, said Erin Hill, the non-profit's executive director.
Donors gave US$70.6 million on Saturday alone, and US$6.3 million in one hour on Friday night, Ms Hill said, beating the group's previous records of US$41.6 million in one day and US$4.3 million in one hour.
The death of Ginsburg so close to the Nov 3 election has energised both the Democratic base and Republican President Donald Trump's core supporters. If Trump is able to install a conservative replacement for the liberal Ginsburg, the move would cement a 6-3 conservative majority on the court.
Much of the Democratic money will be poured into key Senate races, as the party seeks to retake control of the chamber in November, and also to pressure vulnerable Republican incumbents into opposing a move by Mr Trump to install a new justice before the election.
GET BT IN YOUR INBOX DAILY
Start and end each day with the latest news stories and analyses delivered straight to your inbox.
REUTERS
KEYWORDS IN THIS ARTICLE
BT is now on Telegram!
For daily updates on weekdays and specially selected content for the weekend. Subscribe to t.me/BizTimes
International
Chinese tariffs could leave cognac makers with too much brandy
Xi begins Europe tour in Paris as Macron seeks to reset ties
South Korea’s probe alleges 211.2 billion won of illegal short trades
Suzhou Industrial Park: The crown jewel of China-Singapore relations celebrates its 30th year
Top US Treasury official to travel to Singapore, Malaysia to discuss sanctions
Saudi Arabia posts budget deficit of US$3.3 billion in first quarter