Pence's Lackluster Fundraising Raises Concerns for 2024 Presidential Bid

Former Vice President Mike Pence has raised only $1.2 million for his 2024 presidential campaign, raising concerns about Republican voters' enthusiasm for him and his chances of qualifying for the first GOP debate. Pence's campaign is struggling to reach the threshold of 40,000 donors required to make the debate stage, and he faces competition from other candidates appealing to evangelical voters. His defense of certifying Donald Trump's defeat on January 6 has alienated him from Trump's loyal base without gaining much support from Republicans who want to move on from the former president. Pence has invested little in online fundraising and plans to spend most of his funds on a direct-mail program. In comparison, other Republican candidates have announced larger fundraising sums, with Trump raising $35 million in the second quarter.