Sen. Ted Cruz, effectively anointed by Jeb Bush this week as the
Republican party’s last best hope to stop Donald Trump from becoming its
presidential nominee, was emphatically not the standard bearer the GOP
establishment had in mind at the beginning of this campaign. The brash
Texas senator’s anti-Washington rhetoric – often aimed at leaders of his
own party – made him a tea party favorite and has won him an impressive
network of small donors. Contributors of $200 or less made
up nearly 42 percent of the $66.2 million in individual contributions
that Cruz has raised so far for his presidential campaign committee.
These grassroots donors are the kind who have the committment to show up
at the polls. Cruz represents a unique double fundraising threat,
though. From early on, he has also attracted big money — six-, seven-
and even eight-figure checks that have gone to super PACs organized to
support him. Eight groups have brought in a combined $52 million so far
in pro-Cruz money. In fact, he’s the candidate most of the largest
donors this cycle have backed. What do you think?
Republican
presidential candidate Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) is the first choice of
three of this cycle’s top five contributors to outside groups so far.
(AP Photo/Morry Gash)
presidential candidate Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) is the first choice of
three of this cycle’s top five contributors to outside groups so far.
(AP Photo/Morry Gash)
