Democratic Fundraising on ActBlue Tops $50 Million

We hit a new record yesterday, and we're pretty excited. That's right: $50 million raised for Democrats since 2004. And we're just getting started.

Here's the release we just sent out, and a picture to mark the occasion.

DEMOCRATIC FUNDRAISING ON ACTBLUE TOPS $50 MILLION

CAMBRIDGE, MA, JUNE 10, 2008-- Democratic fundraising topped $50 million on ActBlue yesterday evening, signaling a surge in fundraising well beyond the presidential contest. The $50 million total represents contributions from more than 395,000 donors to more than 3000 candidates and committees, with a median contribution of $50.

Propelled by high numbers from, among others, Rick Noriega's Texas Senate campaign and Leslie Byrne's bid for a Virginia Congressional seat, ActBlue's totals also reflect records from some unlikely directions. In California's Third Senate District, all four Democratic primary challengers used ActBlue, raising more than $500,000 ahead of last week's primary. The victor in that contest, Mark Leno, raised more than $227,000 from 600 donors, an ActBlue record for a state race.

"Small dollar donations are the key to Democratic strength, because as we've seen with the Obama campaign, sustainability comes from being able to return to your base and ask for help when you need it," says ActBlue's executive director, Jonathan Zucker. "We're building that capacity for Democrats at every level. You don't have to be a national campaign to harness the power of small donors."

ActBlue's nearest Republican counterpart, Slatecard.com, has raised $350,000 since 2007. (For comparison, ActBlue raised more than $890,000 in its first six months of operation.)

The nation's largest source of funds for Democrats, ActBlue produces a set of tools that allow individuals and groups to raise money for the candidates and causes of their choice, tools that now power the fundraising operations of hundreds of campaigns, from the state house to the White House. Top fundraisers on ActBlue include groups from every part of the Democratic spectrum, from establishment Democrats and elected officials to insurgent Democratic candidates to networks of prominent bloggers.

Another great day.

Thanks from all of us. Keep up the good work!

                                       

Comments

[steven]

My wife and I are very happy contributing to all our local Democrats, as well as the DCCC and Act Blue to make sure money goes where it is needed to support Democrats. However something has happened locally and all of us in our local comittee are torn about it. Here in NYs 24th our guy Mike Arcuri has been anything but "as promised" and now has become subject to ridicule for his actions.

Everyone he endorsed here in the last election cycle has turned out to be what looks like a crook concerned with nepotism cronyism. The Mayor he endorsed for Utica got elected then immediately fired a lage number of people and installed family member after family member.

My wife and I ALWAY donate to Act Blue and the DCCC and our local Democrats but this season we are torn.

Read this:
http://uticasux.com/phpbb2/viewtopic.php?t=380

Is this the same act blue I send my money to? I am a loyal Democrat and 1000% behind DCCC and act blue and what it means to all of us but this local congressman has ticked off everyone for miles and now I'm outraged that a bad apple is making amockery of what we are trying to do here at a local level. My wife and I and MANY friends are outraged at this man's actions. FEW of his campaign promises have come true,and now he's got the whole internet and the country laughing at this area.

Advice?

Angry in NY.

[Zada]

Way to go ACT BLUE!
When my husband ran for Congress (TX21) in 2006, Act Blue was a GodSend. It sure made things less complicated!
Thanks, and keep up the good work.