Ohio Gov. John Kasich's presidential campaign raised nearly $4.4 million during the third quarter, leaving him trailing several of his opponents for the Republican nomination.
The Kasich for America campaign reported raising $4.375 million and spending $1.71 million, leaving $2.66 million on hand as of Sept. 31 -- meaning he spent 40 percent of what he raised.
The second-term governor reported 12,949 total contributions, with 81 percent consisting of $200 or less. Individual contributions to federal-office candidate committees are restricted to $2,700 per election.
Kasich's team noted that the campaign had 72 days to raise money since he did not announce his candidacy until July 21, compared with 92 days for most candidates.
Kasich's fundraising total was less than those of retired neurosurgeon Ben Carson ($20.2 million), former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush ($13.4 million), Sen. Ted Cruz ($12.2 million), former business executive Carly Fiorina ($7 million) and Sen. Marco Rubio ($6 million). Kasich outraised New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, who brought in $4.2 million.
Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker raised $7.8 million but dropped out of the race in September.
"It puts (Kasich) toward the bottom but not at the very bottom," said Jennifer Duffy of the nonpartisan Cook Political Report. "It's got to ramp up in the next couple of months if he's going to buy the media he needs in January."
On the Democratic side, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton raised $28 million and Sen. Bernie Sanders raised $26 million.
Kasich has said he is optimistic he will have the money needed to wage an effective campaign.
Presidential candidates had until midnight Thursday to file their Federal Election Commission reports.
New Day for America, a super-PAC supporting Kasich's candidacy, is not restricted by contribution limits and can accept unlimited amounts. New Day raised $11.1 million from April 20 to June 30, with $7 million coming from 66 donors who live in Ohio. The PAC reported spending about $824,000. An affiliated PAC, New Day for America Independent Media, raised $600,000.
New Day since has spent more than $5 million on TV commercials to promote Kasich in New Hampshire, where he is banking on a win or upper-tier showing to boost his candidacy.
New Day is not required to disclose its contributions again until next year.
Dispatch Reporter Jessica Wehrman contributed to this story.
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