Out presidential candidate Pete Buttigieg has hauled in an impressive $3.7 million dollars in campaign donations from New York State. The mayor of South Bend, Indiana, raked in more money than any other candidate – including New York Senator Kirsten Gillibrand and New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio.
Gillibrand dropped out of the race earlier this week, saying she “just didn’t see our path” forward. De Blasio did not qualify for the next debate; Buttigieg did.
The Big Apple’s mayor raised a grand total of $658,000 from his own city. Buttigieg scooped up $2.9 million from de Blasio’s hometown. Gillibrand raised $1.6 million from NYC before dropping out.
Related: Kirsten Gillibrand went shopping for pride gear with Chasten Buttigieg & served drinks at a gay bar
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Former Vice President Joe Biden raised $2.5 million from New York State. Senators Bernie Sanders took in $3.1 million, Kamala Harris snagged $2.4 million, Elizabeth Warren scooped up $2.4 million and Cory Booker raised $2 million. All six of the major candidates vastly out-raised de Blasio’s floundering an unpopular campaign.
Hollywood celebrities and party power brokers have lined up behind him to help raise the small town mayor’s name recognition and support his campaign. But even more importantly, the combination of Buttigieg’s smarts and his historic campaign as the first major gay presidential candidate is enough to make lots of people in the entertainment world open up their wallets.
David Geffren has already maxed out on his contribution, as has designer Tom Ford. George Takei is also a contributor. Meanwhile, Ellen DeGeneres, wife Portia Rossi, and Sean Hayes were among the co-hosts for an A-gay fundraising event held at the home of NBCUniversal executive Kevin McLellan and his husband.
It’s not just LGBTQ Hollywood stars and executives forking over contributions to Buttigieg’s campaign. A lot of high-profile actors are funding him as well. The list includes Jennifer Aniston, Barbra Streisand, Frances McDormand, Gina Gershon and Gwyneth Paltrow.
Buttigieg raised $23,000 of the $88,700 self-reported New York actors gave to presidential candidates. Actress Sharon Stone pitched in $5,600.
As a side note, lesbian rock star Joan Jett gave $150. It was one of the smallest celebrity donations to the campaign.
