Johnson spent more than $318,000 in August. Gary Johnson has best ever haul

Libertarian presidential candidate Gary Johnson had his best fundraising month ever in August, but the money remains a pittance compared with the tens of millions of dollars President Barack Obama and Mitt Romney are raising.

Johnson’s $356,406 last month largely came in the form of modest contributions from hundreds of individuals, new federal records show.


The former New Mexico governor, who initially sought the Republican Party’s presidential nomination this year, also received $73,692 in public matching funds from a federal program both Obama and Romney have rejected.

Johnson spent more than $318,000 in August, primarily on advertising, travel and campaign advising services, federal disclosures indicate. He also owes more than $175,000 to several consultants.

He reported having $52,341 in his campaign account at the end of last month.

In a recent interview, Johnson pinned his presidential hopes on scoring a seat at presidential debates in October and the help of super PACs, which may raise and spend unlimited amounts of money. It would take about $50 million in campaign and super PAC money for him to win the presidency, Johnson said.

To date, significant super PAC support for Johnson has yet to materialize.

Johnson is on the presidential ballot in 47 states and the District of Columbia.