Michele Bachmann leans on small donors

Rep. Michele Bachmann’s $4.2 million take for the year’s second fundraising quarter was buttressed by her strength with small-dollar donors.

Bachmann raised nearly 75 percent of her money through donations of $200 or less. In comparison, former Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty got about ten percent of the $4.3 million he raised via small donors; six percent of former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney’s $18.3 million came from low-dollar contributions.

“Having gotten into the race a little over a month ago, we are pleased with the progress of our fundraising numbers,” Bachmann said in a statement.

“I am especially proud of our grassroots fundraising efforts which indicate we are receiving the bulk of our contributions from the average hard-working American. We are just now starting to reach out to major donors and look forward to a successful 3rd quarter fundraising effort.”

Bachmann’s campaign ends this quarter with about $3.6 million cash on hand, but also $365,000 in debts, mostly due to telemarketing and direct mail firms.

melanie.mason@latimes.com