(CNN) President Donald Trump's re-election campaign raised more than $30 million in the first fundraising quarter of 2019 -- an amount that rivals the combined fundraising haul of the top two Democrats in the first quarter and underscores his enormous financial head start over the crowded field of Democrats jockeying to face him in 2020.

Trump's re-election effort now has a substantial $40.8 million remaining in the bank, Tim Murtaugh, the campaign's director of communications, told CNN on Sunday.

In an unprecedented move, Trump's campaign also has merged its operations with the Republican National Committee, giving the president's campaign operatives a leading role in guiding field operations, well ahead of the general election.

The RNC raised $45.8 million during January-to-March fundraising period and, together with Trump's campaign and affiliated committees, started April with $82 million in available funds, the committee announced Monday.

While Trump and the RNC build a massive war chest, 18 Democrats -- with more considering bids -- will spend heavily to compete for their party's nomination.

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