Sen. Michael Bennet Michael Farrand BennetOVERNIGHT ENERGY: House Democrats tee up vote on climate-focused energy bill next week | EPA reappoints controversial leader to air quality advisory committee | Coronavirus creates delay in Pentagon research for alternative to 'forever chemicals' Senate Democrats demand White House fire controversial head of public lands agency Next crisis, keep people working and give them raises MORE (D-Colo.) raised $2.1 million for his presidential bid in the third fundraising quarter, his campaign said on Wednesday.

Bennet’s third-quarter total falls short of his second-quarter fundraising haul — about $2.8 million — and may portend trouble as he heads into a critical three-month period for the Democratic nominating contest.

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He ended September with $1.8 million cash on hand, his campaign said, down from the nearly $2.2 million he had in the bank at the end of June, meaning he spent more than he brought in over the past three months.

Eighty-six percent of the donations to Bennet’s campaign were $25 or less, and 98 percent were $100 or less, his campaign said.

Bennet’s fundraising total for the third quarter, which covers the period between July 1 and Sept. 30, is the smallest haul disclosed by a Democratic presidential candidate so far.

Sen. Bernie Sanders Bernie SandersSirota reacts to report of harassment, doxing by Harris supporters Republicans not immune to the malady that hobbled Democrats The Hill's Morning Report - Sponsored by Facebook - Republicans lawmakers rebuke Trump on election MORE’s (I-Vt.) campaign announced on Tuesday that it had raised $25.3 million in the past three months. South Bend, Ind., Mayor Pete Buttigieg Pete ButtigiegBillionaire who donated to Trump in 2016 donates to Biden The Hill's Morning Report - Sponsored by Facebook - GOP closes ranks to fill SCOTUS vacancy by November Buttigieg stands in as Pence for Harris's debate practice MORE said he raised $19.1 million. Sen. Kamala Harris Kamala HarrisTexas Democratic official urges Biden to visit state: 'I thought he had his own plane' The Hill's Campaign Report: Biden on Trump: 'He'll leave' l GOP laywers brush off Trump's election remarks l Obama's endorsements A game theorist's advice to President Trump on filling the Supreme Court seat MORE (D-Calif.) raised $11.6 million in the same time frame, while Sen. Cory Booker Cory Anthony BookerThe movement to reform animal agriculture has reached a tipping point Watchdog confirms State Dept. canceled award for journalist who criticized Trump 3 reasons why Biden is misreading the politics of court packing MORE (D-N.J.) brought in roughly $6 million, his campaign said.

Bennet has struggled to gain traction in national and early-state polls since announcing his candidacy in May, with most showing him hovering around the 1-percent mark or failing to register at all. He has also raised far less than the primary field’s top-tier contenders, putting him at a financial disadvantage in the months leading up to the Iowa caucuses on Feb. 3.

Shannon Beckham, a spokeswoman for Bennet’s campaign, said that the Colorado senator’s strategy hinges on running a lean operation in the critical early primary and caucus states, adding that the campaign has “the resources to compete and win.”

Beckham also dinged the criteria set by the Democratic National Committee (DNC) to qualify for the primary debates. Bennet missed the cut to qualify for the third round of debates last month and is also expected to miss the next debate on Oct. 15.

“Instead of allowing the DNC’s flawed debate criteria to dictate this race, we’re communicating directly with voters and caucusgoers,” Beckham said in a statement.

“They believe in Michael’s agenda — one that will not only unite Democrats, but also win back the nine million Obama-Trump voters we need to defeat Trump and take back the Senate. Michael spent more time in Iowa in September than any other candidate, and we believe it will pay off in the long run.”