Tue, February 21, 2012
WASHINGTON, Feb. 20 (Xinhua) -- Outside groups supporting U.S. Republican presidential candidates heated up their fundraising war in January, raising more money than the previous month, while burning through cash more quickly, according to campaign reports they filed with the Federal Election Commission.
The groups, known as super political action committees (super PACs), released their fundraising figures on Monday.
Restore Our Future, a group supporting former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney, raised 6.6 million U.S. dollars in January, but spent 14 million on a three-state advertising binge against Romney's rivals in the race.
The group had more than 16 million dollars available at the end of the month, giving the Romney camp the funding strength it needs in a prolonged campaign. About 5 million of the funds were raised from only 25 wealthy donors and corporations, highlighting the influence of big money in this campaign cycle.
Former House speaker Newt Gingrich, whose campaign has been struggling without a win after the South Carolina primary, also had a good month in fundraising.
Winning Our Future, a super PAC supporting Gingrich, raised 11 million dollars in January, nearly all of which came from Las Vegas gambling tycoon Sheldon Adelson and his wife, Miriam. They each gave 5 million to the super PAC to help keep Gingrich's struggling campaign alive.
However, Winning Our Future has less money in the bank than the pro-Romney group. By the end of January, it had only 2.4 million.
