Ramaswamy and DeSantis clash over funds as they aim for grassroots support.
The Battle for the Non-Trump Lane: Ramaswamy vs. DeSantis
The release of the latest quarterly fundraising figures for 2024 presidential hopefuls has sparked a fierce competition between businessman Vivek Ramaswamy and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis. Both men are vying for the limited space available for a non-Trump candidate, each trying to position themselves as the voice of “We the People.”
The latest controversy revolves around the $15.2 million debt accumulated by the Vivek 2024 campaign, as reported in their filing with the Federal Election Commission (FEC). Additionally, the campaign’s cash on hand has dwindled from $9 million to $4.2 million over the quarter.
News of these figures quickly spread among pro-DeSantis accounts on X, formerly known as Twitter.
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@JoeStief, a vocal supporter of #TeamDeSanity, tweeted, “Ramaswamy – more debt than cash; oof!”
However, it turns out that Vivek 2024’s debt primarily stems from personal loans made by Mr. Ramaswamy to his own campaign, as reported on the FEC’s website.
Tricia McLaughlin, senior advisor for the Ramaswamy campaign, expressed her dissatisfaction with the debt-focused narrative pushed by DeSantis’ online allies.
“That came from a DeSantis surrogate right after a Politico story dropped saying Vivek dwarfs DeSantis in small-dollar donors while DeSantis gets more mega-donors. Team DeSantis doesn’t want to look like mega-donor simps,” she told The Epoch Times.
The DeSantis campaign declined to comment on Ms. McLaughlin’s statement.
The Politico story highlighted that despite pouring his own money into the campaign, Ramaswamy has a larger base of small-dollar donors compared to DeSantis. However, DeSantis still maintains a lead in the polls and overall fundraising.
Small Dollars in 2024 Campaigns
According to FEC reports, Ramaswamy loaned his campaign $5 million and contributed over $440,000 to himself last quarter. This quarter, he did not loan himself any money but contributed over $1 million to his campaign.
In the latest filing, Vivek 2024 revealed that they received over $2.8 million in small-dollar donations (defined as $200 or less), a significant increase from the previous quarter’s reported $1.2 million.
Ron DeSantis for President reported over $2.5 million in small-dollar donations during the latest quarter, a decrease from the previous quarter’s filing.
While Ramaswamy excels in small-dollar donations, DeSantis surpasses him in larger contributions both in the most recent reporting period and throughout the election cycle.
Interestingly, Ramaswamy is not the only candidate with self-funding debt. Businessman Perry Johnson, who filed a complaint with the FEC over his exclusion from the first Republican debate, has loaned his campaign over $12.5 million to date. He currently has over $11.2 million in cash on hand but received less than $69,000 in small-dollar donations, a sharp contrast to Ramaswamy and DeSantis.
Former President Donald J. Trump’s campaign reported over $24.5 million in receipts this past quarter, with the majority coming from his Save America joint fundraising committee.
Another Republican contender, former South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley, reported over $1.7 million in small-dollar donations this quarter, falling short of her main rivals.
President Joe Biden’s reelection campaign committee collected more than $3.6 million in small-dollar donations, surpassing the Trump campaign’s reported receipts this quarter. The committee also received over $18 million from the Biden Action Fund and other authorized committees, mostly in the form of smaller donations.
Robert F. Kennedy, Jr.’s Team Kennedy reported over $2.77 million in small-dollar donations this quarter, an increase from the previous quarter.
What are the contrasting approaches of Ramaswamy and DeSantis in their campaigns?
Docquery.fec.gov/cgi-bin/forms/C00840012/1731681/sc/ALL” target=”_blank” rel=”noopener”>filed with the FEC that the campaign received over $820,000 in small-dollar donations. While this is lower than Ramaswamy’s amount, the DeSantis campaign boasted more donors in the higher contribution brackets.
The battle for the non-Trump lane is not only about fundraising numbers but also about their messages and appeal to voters. Ramaswamy, a tech entrepreneur and author, has been positioning himself as an outsider candidate who is not beholden to political elites. He has been critical of both Democrats and Republicans and has advocated for a new form of populism that puts power back into the hands of the people.
On the other hand, DeSantis, a popular governor in the key swing state of Florida, has been aligning himself closely with former President Donald Trump. He has embraced Trump’s policy positions and rhetoric, positioning himself as a staunch defender of conservative values and a fighter against the liberal establishment.
These contrasting approaches have drawn different segments of the conservative base. Ramaswamy’s appeal lies with those who are looking for a fresh face and an outsider perspective, while DeSantis attracts Trump loyalists who want a candidate who will continue the former president’s legacy.
The battle between Ramaswamy and DeSantis is not just about who can raise more money or attract more donors. It is a battle for the soul of the Republican Party and the direction it will take in the post-Trump era. Will it continue down the path of Trumpism, or will it embrace a new kind of conservative populism? This question will shape the future of the GOP and its chances of retaking the White House in 2024.
As the race heats up, expect to see more clashes between Ramaswamy and DeSantis, both online and on the campaign trail. Both candidates are determined to prove that they are the rightful heirs to Trump’s non-establishment mantle and the true voice of “We the People.”
Only time will tell who will come out on top in this battle for the non-Trump lane.
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