J.B. Pritzker, Gavin Newsom Juice Biden’s Campaign Fundraising Efforts

President Joe Biden’s reelection fundraising operation has gotten a powerful assist from the nation’s Democratic governors, who have helped him amass a record $91 million war chest a year ahead of the presidential election.

Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker has organized events with deep-pocketed donors, bringing in more than $1 million for Biden’s campaign, according to a person familiar with the fundraising. California’s Gavin Newsom is tapping grassroots contributors to ask them to pitch in small-dollar amounts, said the person, who requested anonymity because they weren’t authorized to speak publicly.

Involving well-known governors popular with Democrats in their home states has given the Biden campaign additional avenues to tap donors in some of the wealthiest pockets of the country. Their support is also a demonstration of how party heavyweights are rallying behind Biden even as polls show voter concerns about his age and handling of the economy.

Since launching his reelection effort in late April, Biden has raised more than $143 million, including $71 million in the third quarter, a strong total for what has historically been a slow fundraising period. That puts him far ahead of the Republican primary field, including the GOP frontrunner, former President Donald Trump, who raised $45.5 million last quarter.

Governors Kathy Hochul of New York and Ned Lamont of Connecticut helped organize events in their states, while New Jersey’s Phil Murphy will likely host a fundraiser before the end of the year.

New Mexico Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham held an event that raised a high six-figure total, exceeding expectations for the state. Governor Wes Moore of Maryland co-hosted a fundraiser in New York with the Black Economic Alliance, an advocacy group, and has committed to hosting more events in his home state.

“It’s just super helpful especially on fundraising to have real surrogates who can do this,” said Jim Messina, who ran former President Barack Obama’s 2012 reelection campaign. “It’s better than free beer.”

Newsom is the most effective surrogate out of all the governors among grassroots givers, according to the person familiar. Small-dollar donors, those who contribute less than $200, have given more than $39 million to Biden’s reelection effort, Federal Election Commission records show.

Biden also has an advantage with major donors. Because of a joint fundraising agreement between Biden’s campaign, the Democratic National Committee and state parties, the president can accept money in much bigger chunks than his Republican rivals.

The maximum donation to the Biden Victory Fund is $929,600. That dwarfs the $3,300 individual contribution limit for Republican campaigns that don’t have a broader agreement with their party, and has allowed Biden to raise far more than his GOP rivals.

The $91 million cash-on-hand the campaign reported across all fundraising entities is a high for a Democratic president at this point in the cycle.