Politics

Bush Collects $7.6M In 28 Days

April 15, 1999 / 1:51 PM EDT / AP

Texas Gov. George W. Bush on Thursday reported collecting $7.6 million during the first 28 days of his presidential exploratory campaign.

The front-runner for the GOP presidential nomination did so without holding a fund-raising event.

Bush spent $854,000, leaving $6.75 million in the bank, according to his report to the Federal Election Commission.

Bush announced plans for the exploratory committee, which lets him raise and spend money to test the presidential waters, on March 2. A bank account was opened two days later. The report covers donations that month.

He reported 23,339 contributors, with a little more than half of the money coming from Texas. More than 5,200 donors contributed the $1,000 maximum allowed under federal law.

Bush's campaign said the average contribution was $325.24.

"I am humbled by the tremendous support from people across the country," Bush said.

Bush himself lent the exploratory committee $13,810.

The governor has promised to remain in Texas until the Legislature ends its 1999 session, on May 31.The report shows no spending in Iowa and only $29.70 in New Hampshire, the states holding the first two presidential nominating contests.