Kerry Raises $100M In Three Months

John Kerry, relying on donations big and small, raised $100 million in the three months after he wrapped up his party's nomination, a Democratic record but still well short of the all-time presidential money leader — George W. Bush.

Kerry raised roughly $25 million in May alone, lifting his presidential campaign total to more than $140 million through the month, according to numbers provided by his campaign Wednesday. Mr. Bush easily has outpaced Kerry, taking in at least $216 million for his re-election bid.

Both candidates declined to accept public funds for the primary season — and the accompanying limits on spending.

The four-term Massachusetts senator has raised more than $44 million over the Internet since his Super Tuesday victories in early March, averaging $108 per online donor, and has also raised millions in $1,000 and $2,000 donations at fund-raising events around the country.

Kerry has already surpassed his financial goal of about $106 million for the primary season. He has just over a month of fund raising left before he accepts his party's nomination in Boston and receives full government financing for the general election phase of his campaign.

Mr. Bush holds the all-time presidential fund-raising record. He has raised at least $216 million since he began his re-election effort in May 2003, including at least $13 million raised in May through online and mailed contributions. Donor information is posted on his campaign Web site.

Both the Kerry and Bush campaigns accepted donations ranging from a few dollars to $2,000, the limit for individual givers.

Mr. Bush stopped holding fund-raisers for himself in April, turning his attention to helping the Republican Party and fellow GOP candidates raise millions for the fall election. Kerry has been holding fund-raisers for himself and the Democratic National Committee, and he has taken in millions over the Internet and through direct-mail solicitations. Kerry's total includes roughly $6 million he borrowed before his primary victories by mortgaging his Boston home.

Kerry will reach his fund-raising cutoff about a month before Mr. Bush, who can continue raising primary money until his party's convention in late August.

Mindful that fund-raising time is running out, Kerry is soliciting donations to a legal compliance fund he can use during the general election campaign to cover legal and accounting costs, reserving his roughly $75 million in government financing for ads and other campaign costs from August until November. The Bush campaign also has a legal compliance fund.

Mr. Bush and Kerry will detail their finances through May, including spending and money in the bank, in reports to the Federal Election Commission due Sunday.