Ryan Falls Way Behind in Q2 Fundraising Race, New Poll

YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio — U.S. Rep. Tim Ryan is falling far short of his competitors in the race for the Democratic nomination for president, both in terms of fundraising and poll numbers. And at this juncture, it appears that he will not qualify for the debates scheduled in September, when the Democratic National Committee requires 130,000 individual donors to secure a place on the stage.

Tim Ryan for America, the presidential campaign committee, reported it raised $895,000 in the second quarter from 13,000 individual donors. The disclosure came in a filing with the Federal Elections Commission that was submitted Friday.

By comparison, Pete Buttigieg, the mayor of South Bend, Ind., raised $24.8 million in the second quarter and former Vice President Joe Biden raised $21.5 million. U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren raised $19.1 million while U.S. Sen Bernie Sanders raised $18 million and U.S. Sen. Kamala Harris reported $11 million in second-quarter contributions.

Ryan also is at the end of the 24-person field, finds a newly released poll conducted on behalf of NBC News and The Wall Street Journal. He is listed last along with six other candidates, who pulled less than one percent. In addition to Ryan, the bottom six include Montana Gov. Steve Bullock, New York Mayor Bill de Blasio, U.S. Rep. Tulsi Gabbard, U.S. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand and U.S. Rep. Seth Moulton.

The first round of Democratic debates took place last month in Miami. The second round is July 30 and 31 in Detroit, and Ryan has qualified to participate in that round.

The third round, Sept. 12-13 in Houston, require candidates to achieve 2% in four of the polls identified by the DNC in the criteria. The fundraising threshhold is 130,000 unique donors, and at least 400 individual donors from 20 states.

FEC documents show the actual total Ryan for America raised from April 1 to June 30 is $889,398.86. Total disbursements were $554,340.54 leaving an ending cash-on-hand balance of $335,058.32.

Among his individual contributors are Anthony Cafaro Sr., Anthony Cafaro Jr., Capri Cafaro and three other members of the Cafaro family, owners of the Niles-based Cafaro Co. Each gave the maximum allowable amount of $2,800.

John C. York, president of The DeBartolo Corp. in Boardman, donated $2,700 to the campaign, as did Denise DeBartolo York, chairman and owner of the company

Three members of the Zoldan family, Bruce and his sons Ron and Alexander, each contributed $2,700 to Ryan’s campaign. The Zoldans own and operate Youngstown-based B.J. Alan Co., parent company of Phantom Fireworks.

Edward W. and Chris Muransky each gave $2,800. Ed Muransky is listed on the FEC document as a self-employed insurance agent with offices on Market Street in Boardman. The Muransky family owns and operates, in conjunction with area physicians, the Boardman-based Southwoods health-care group.

Also listed among the contributors is David Betras, former chairman of the Mahoning County Democratic Party, who contributed $2,800.

Brad Bauman, senior advisor to the Ryan campaign, issued a statement late Friday that downplayed the poor second-quarter fundraising numbers.

“Tim Ryan for America’s disclosure shows that we have the resources needed to get our message out and compete in Iowa, New Hampshire, Nevada and South Carolina. At this early stage in the campaign, that is the only thing that matters,” Bauman said.

“We are continuing to build momentum and in the coming weeks Tim looks forward to bringing his ideas to the second debate stage in Detroit. Our message about the anxiety felt by working class Americans is resonating,” he continued.

“We thank each and every one of our supporters who together have donated over 13,000 times to this campaign. None of this would be possible without their support. Together we can rebuild the American Dream. Our future is now.”

Copyright 2024 The Business Journal, Youngstown, Ohio.