Santorum’s campaign finished last month with $2.3m, Gingrich with $4.8 m. | REUTERS GOP dropouts end in debt

Failed GOP presidential contenders ended April with big debts.

Rick Santorum’s campaign finished last month with $2.3 million in outstanding debt, according to new campaign finance reports released Sunday. That’s $1.3 million more than the campaign had in cash reserves by the end of April.


The former Pennsylvania senator struggled to keep cash flowing in last month as his prospects floundered and he ultimately abandoned his bid on April 10. He raised $1.3 million during the month, but burned through more than $2 million in expenses including direct mail and online marketing, air charter services and consulting.

Newt Gingrich ended April with $4.8 million in outstanding debt, including consulting, travel and advertising fees — far more than the $807,000 the campaign had in cash on hand. The former House speaker — who didn’t formally end his campaign until early May — only raised $787,000 in April, but burned through $1.2 million.

Both campaigns would benefit from financial help from Romney and his allies. Romney, his family, staff and supporters ponied up to help retire Tim Pawlenty’s campaign debt last year after the former Minnesota governor bowed out of the race early and threw his weight behind Romney.

But it’s unclear whether Romney plans to lend a hand after the drawn out primary feud and the tepid endorsements of both Santorum and Gingrich.

Ron Paul, meanwhile, kept his campaign in the black last month, raising $2 million with no debt. Paul’s campaign spent $1.4 million in April and finished the month with $2.5 million in the bank.