Bush Reportedly Raises $3 Million in 3 Months for Likely Campaign

Seeking an early edge in a crowded GOP field, Texas Gov. George W. Bush has raised at least $3 million so far this year for a possible presidential bid, according to Republicans familiar with his fund raising.

Bush’s take for the first three months of 1999 is expected to put him ahead of several potential rivals for the Republican presidential nomination when their first fund-raising reports come out April 15.

Two of Bush’s potential challengers expect to report less than $1 million in fund raising: Former American Red Cross President Elizabeth Hanford Dole will report in the “mid six figures,” while former Tennessee Gov. Lamar Alexander expects between $700,000 and $800,000, their spokesmen said.

Other GOP contenders are closer in the money race to Bush, who is the early leader in Republican primary polls.

Dan Quayle, who served as vice president under Bush’s father, is expected to report around $2 million, spokesman Jonathan Baron said.

Sen. John McCain of Arizona, who had a fund-raiser last week in New York; conservative activist Gary Bauer; and Rep. John R. Kasich of Ohio, who is spending the week raising money on the West Coast, also are expected to disclose at least $1 million in contributions for the period of Jan. 1 through March 31, campaign officials said.

The race for campaign funds is considered the first primary of the 2000 presidential election. Politicians and strategists say a candidate needs to raise $20 million by the end of this year to properly finance a campaign in 2000.

Bush is considering forgoing federal matching funds, the taxpayer assistance to candidates who agree to spending limits. That, aides say, will allow him to compete better against millionaire publisher Steve Forbes, whose self-financed candidacy has no spending restrictions.

Political experts estimate that Bush would have to raise around $50 million to be able to go that route.

Some campaigns are reticent to discuss the financing of their campaigns. Bush’s figures were provided by Republicans familiar with his fund raising who would speak only on condition of anonymity.

Others, however, are trumpeting the money they have raised.

Bauer’s campaign manager, Frank Cannon, said the $1.4 million his boss has raised, mostly through small donations, gives him a good base for future fund raising.

“When you’re a direct mail-oriented candidate, as you identify supporters and they continue to give to you, your number rises each quarter,” Cannon said.

Quayle has tried to tap supporters he made connections with while serving as vice president and at the same time is reaching out to those who identify with his conservative social message.