A $3 million haul: Inslee leads fellow Democratic second-tier candidates

Washington State Governor Jay Inslee announces his candidacy for President of the United States, Friday, March 1, 2019. He has failed to gain traction in the race, took in $3 million in second quarter of 2019. Better than other also-rans. less Washington State Governor Jay Inslee announces his candidacy for President of the United States, Friday, March 1, 2019. He has failed to gain traction in the race, took in $3 million in second quarter of ... more Photo: Genna Martin Photo: Genna Martin Image 1 of / 15 Caption Close A $3 million haul: Inslee leads fellow Democratic second-tier candidates 1 / 15 Back to Gallery

Washington Gov. Jay Inslee is up there among the also-runnings of the Democratic presidential field, having raised $3 million from 96,400 donations during the second quarter of 2019.

The Inslee haul puts him far behind South Bend, Indiana Mayor Pete Buttigieg at $24.8 million, and the $21.5 million raised by ex-Vice President Joe Biden. Biden got in under the wire with pricey June 30 fundraisers in Seattle and Medina.

But Inslee is ahead of other long-shot candidates seeking traction.

Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, D-New York, a prolific fundraiser in other races, took in only $2.3 million in the second quarter. Ex-Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Julian Castro raised $2.8 million. So did Colorado Sen. Michael Bennet.

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Gov. Steve Bullock of Montana, excluded from the Democrats' first TV debate, raised $2 million. The struggling campaign of former Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper raised just $1.1 million. Hickenlooper has been urged by close suppporters to abandon his bid for the White House and run for the U.S. Senate.

The second quarter leaders were Buttigieg and Biden, but also Sen. Elizabeth Warren at $19.1 million, Sen. Bernie Sanders at $18 million, and Sen. Kamala Harris -- off a stellar debate performance -- at just under $12 million.

Both Warren and Sanders have renounced big ticket events hosted by party "whales" (a nickname for big givers) and are living off the land of small donors. Warren has taken an estimated 35,000 selfies with supporters.

A trio of campaign organizations backing President Trump, two tied to the Republican National Committee, eclipsed the Democrats with donations totaling $108 million.

RELATED: Inslee: Trump made 'right decision' to dump citizenship from Census

Inslee has tied his campaign to the issue of climate change, arguing that he is the one Democratic hopeful who will move the climate crisis to the top of the White House agenda.

But "green" California billionaire Tom Steyer, hitherto an Inslee friend, joined the race earlier this month. Steyer is already running TV spots on cable TV news programs, arguing that he has devoted his life to saving the earth.,

Steyer is famous for committing money to campaigns, e.g. 2014 State Senate races in Washington -- which is never seen or heard from again, and leaves no impact.