WASHINGTON, April 2 (Xinhua) -- Democratic presidential candidate Bernie Sanders has raised 18.2 million U.S. dollars in the first quarter of 2019, which demonstrates stronger-than-ever support for the left-leaning politician.
The figure, released by Sanders' campaign manager Faiz Shakir on Tuesday, is likely to put Sanders in front of the Democrats who seek to unseat incumbent President Donald Trump. Kamala Harris, U.S. senator from California and another popular candidate, said she has raised 12 million dollars.
Shakir said 525,000 individual donors made 900,000 donations averaging 20 dollars to the Sanders campaign. The average age of the donors was under 39.
"Supporters have shown up big time for this campaign. Huge, you could say," Shakir told the press.
Sanders announced his campaign in February, and said he raised 6 million dollars in the first 24 hours.
The fundraising speed outpaced Sanders' first presidential bid in 2016, when he raised 15.2 million dollars in the first two months of his campaign.
The veteran politician caused a sensation during the 2016 presidential election, almost beating Hillary Clinton to the Democratic nomination with his left-leaning platform. Sanders was especially popular with young voters, many of whom were drawn to his promises to promote social welfare.
Other candidates are expected to release their fundraising figures to the Federal Election Commission by April 15. Beto O'Rourke, a charismatic former lawmaker from Texas, is expected to be another strong fundraiser.
