Katie Porter Raises Eye-Popping $4.5 Million in First Quarter as a Senate Candidate From an Army of Small Dollar Donors

Porter received more than 122,000 donations, averaging $36 overall

Porter’s Q1 haul nearly doubles amounts raised by Harris and Padilla during a similar period

Donors spanned all 58 California counties and all 50 states

Porter has never taken a dime from Big Oil, Big Pharma, Wall Street, payday lender, or other corporate PACs

CALIFORNIA—Congresswoman Katie Porter raised a stunning $4.5 million in her first quarter as a candidate for the U.S. Senate, nearly doubling the amounts raised by Kamala Harris and Alex Padilla, the last two Democratic candidates to win Senate seats in California, during their first quarters as U.S. Senate candidates. Like in every campaign she has ever ran, Porter is refusing donations from Big Oil, pharmaceutical, Wall Street, payday lender, and other corporate PACs. 

Here’s a breakdown of Porter’s first-quarter fundraising numbers:

• Porter raised a stunning $4.5 million from more than 80,000 unique donors
  • 98% of donations were $100 or less
  • The average donation was $36
  • 99% can be used during the primary election
• Donors spanned all 58 California counties and all 50 states
• $0 came from corporate PACs or federal lobbyists 

“Californians deserve to feel confident that their next senator will fight for them, not corporate special interests,” said Porter. “I have never taken a cent from corporate PACs and I refuse donations from federal lobbyists and Big Oil, Big Pharma, and the Big Banks. This is a people-powered campaign, and I’m so grateful and touched by all the support we’ve received so far from every part and pocket of California. I’m excited to continue connecting with voters across the state about my work speaking truth to power.”

Porter has received widespread praise from Democrats, good government advocates, progressive groups, and pundits since announcing her candidacy for the U.S. Senate. Led by a team of seasoned campaign veterans from across California, her campaign raised a stunning $1.3 million in its first 24 hours. Porter’s campaign also released a poll of California voters likely to participate in the 2024 election for U.S. Senate. It shows Porter has a double-digit lead in a likely top-two general election contest if it were held today. In a head-to-head matchup, Porter leads significantly among Democrats, Republicans, and Independents. The same survey shows Porter would be the likely top finisher from a June primary contest with other potential Republican and Democratic candidates. You can read the poll memo here.