Pete Buttigieg Pete ButtigiegBogeymen of the far left deserve a place in any Biden administration Overnight Defense: Woodward book causes new firestorm | Book says Trump lashed out at generals, told Woodward about secret weapons system | US withdrawing thousands of troops from Iraq A socially and environmentally just way to fight climate change MORE's presidential campaign announced a new contest to drum up fundraising: who can give the Democratic candidate the lowest contribution.

In a email to supporters Tuesday evening, Buttigieg's campaign wrote that the donor who contributes the lowest amount in the hours ahead — provided that no other donor matches the contribution amount — will win a prize from the campaign.

"All you have to do to win is donate the smallest amount that nobody else donates," reads the email. "Multiple donations are allowed; just be creative, pick a unique donation amount, and you could win."

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Some Twitter users pointed out that the effect of the contest would be to lower the South Bend, Ind., mayor's average donation amount. Other candidates, including Sen. Bernie Sanders Bernie SandersMcConnell accuses Democrats of sowing division by 'downplaying progress' on election security The Hill's Campaign Report: Arizona shifts towards Biden | Biden prepares for drive-in town hall | New Biden ad targets Latino voters Why Democrats must confront extreme left wing incitement to violence MORE (I-Vt.), have frequently touted their low average donations on the debate stage to highlight grassroots support for their campaigns.

"The Pete for America Innovation Team out there working hard on Christmas Eve coming up with gimmicks to lower his average donation amount this quarter. Funny stuff," wrote Tim Tagaris, a senior adviser to the Sanders campaign.

"This is so transparently hilarious. Wow, his average donation was lower this quarter... it’s a Christmas miracle!" Tagaris added.

This is so transparently hilarious. Wow, his average donation was lower this quarter... it’s a Christmas miracle! — Tim Tagaris (@ttagaris) December 25, 2019

The fundraising contest comes just days after Buttigeig faced heat from his fellow Democrats onstage at Thursday's Democratic debate over a fundraiser in a wine cave, which was pilloried by rivals such as Andrew Yang Andrew YangDoctor who allegedly assaulted Evelyn Yang arrested on federal charges The Hill's Campaign Report: Biden weighs in on police shootings | Who's moderating the debates | Trump trails in post-convention polls Buttigieg launches his own podcast MORE and Sen. Elizabeth Warren Elizabeth WarrenWarren, Schumer introduce plan for next president to cancel ,000 in student debt The Hill's 12:30 Report - Presented by Facebook - Don't expect a government check anytime soon No new taxes for the ultra rich — fix bad tax policy instead MORE (D-Mass.) as an effort to sway big donors to Buttigieg's campaign while opening up the mayor to special interests.

Buttigeig and Warren in particular have been battling ahead of the Iowa caucuses.

The battles over fundraising and donors have prompted new scrutiny of both campaigns. On Tuesday, The Washington Post published a story that focused on contributions from bigger donors that Warren had taken before her presidential campaign.