(TargetLiberty.org) – Mike Pence’s bid for the presidency in 2024 is grappling with financial hurdles, already showing signs of monetary strain.
The campaign has shared with NBC News that its third-quarter financial disclosures, set to be publicized this Sunday, will show $3.3 million raised, with $1.2 million available cash and a concerning $620,000 debt. Pence has personally contributed $150,000 to these efforts.
These figures indicate a struggling campaign, significantly lagging behind its competitors and prompting doubts about its viability through the Republican primaries. Accumulating debt is often a precursor to a campaign’s downfall, hinting it might be on the brink of collapse.
A look back at the Republican primary of the previous presidential race draws a worrying comparison. Around this same time, Scott Walker, the then-Governor of Wisconsin, withdrew after revealing his campaign had slightly less than $1 million available and a $161,000 debt. His subsequent financial report highlighted a daunting $1.2 million debt, which took a year to settle.
Presently, Pence’s financial standing is weaker compared to former colleagues. For instance, former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley reported $9.1 million available for the primaries, while Florida Governor Ron DeSantis declared a $5 million fund. Senator Tim Scott, despite high expenditure, entered the race with a substantial reserve accumulated during his Senate tenure.
In contrast, Donald Trump’s campaign claims to have a robust $36 million for the primaries. However, these numbers remain unconfirmed until the official Federal Election Commission filings are disclosed at Sunday’s end.
Pence’s available $1.2 million imposes operational constraints, with around $200,000 of it earmarked for the general elections, rendering it inaccessible for primary use, based on an NBC News review of past filings.
The specifics of how much of the recently raised funds are primary-applicable remain undisclosed, as the campaign has withheld further information.
These financial challenges emerge as the campaign aims to secure a spot in the third Republican primary debate, with a requirement of 70,000 individual donors. Despite achieving the necessary polling status, Pence is trailing in national and Iowa polls, suggesting a tough battle ahead for debate qualification.
Politically, Pence emphasizes “conventional conservative principles,” positioning himself as their guardian — occasionally in contrast to Trump. He regularly reflects on his constitutional adherence on January 6, 2021, and advocates for a proactive American role internationally, critiquing Trump and others on various issues.
However, despite his adherence to conservatism reminiscent of the Reagan era, Pence’s support within the party has not seen significant momentum, indicating a possible shift in the party’s ideological direction.
Copyright 2023, TargetLiberty.org
