Former Vice President Joe Biden has raised $21.5 million since launching his White House bid in late April, his campaign said Wednesday. While Biden's haul will put him in the top tier of Democratic fundraisers, he lags behind Pete Buttigieg, a 37-year-old Indiana mayor who was virtually unknown a few months ago, the AP reports. Buttigieg's campaign announced earlier in the week that he posted an eye-popping $24.8 million second-quarter haul—a stunning sum for any candidate, let alone one who is so new to the national political stage. Some Democratic strategists anticipated a larger fundraising number from Biden, given the connections he forged during his years as vice president and as a long-serving US senator.
The fact that Biden lagged behind expectations—and Buttigieg—will likely deepen Democratic worries that the party could be in for a prolonged primary fight at a time when President Trump is making his case to voters and his reelection effort posted a massive $105 million second-quarter haul. Still, Biden's supporters say they aren't worried. "When you are the far and away front-runner, everybody is shooting at you," said Steve Westly, a Silicon Valley venture capitalist who is raising money for Biden. "One thing you have to keep in mind is this campaign is a marathon." In addition to Biden and Buttigieg, Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders also reported a large figure, pulling in $18 million. Yet to be seen are highly anticipated figures from Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren and California Sen. Kamala Harris, who saw a fundraising surge after her breakout performance during last week's Democratic debates.
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