Donald Trump critics struggle to raise funds for the primary challenge

Mark Sanford, most prominent primary challenger to President Donald Trump, has said on September 30 that he won't solicit contributions from his longtime dor base until he's "proven a measure of electoral success". Bill Kristol has yet to fully activate a super PAC aimed at hurting Trump's reelection chances. And Stuart Stevens, top strategist for Sen. Mitt Romney's 2012 presidential campaign, until he was prompted, could t recall name of super PAC he is vising that supports ar Trump challenger, Bill Weld. So far, t even start of an impeachment inquiry against president has energized campaigns of those candidates, or aligned groups, seeking to deny Trump Republican presidential mination. Still, outside spending by disenchanted "Never Trump"- Republicans could diminish Trump's 2020 odds by wounding his candidacy even if stopping well short of denying him mination.

"For w, idea that somehow, someway, some seven-figure guy or some seven-figure bundler, is going to break from pack to go support one of se guys is just, I don't think realistic," said Reed Galen, a former Republican turned independent who worked in past for George W. Bush and John McCain.

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challenges in fundraising

Weld, former Massachusetts goverr, and first Republican to anunce a primary challenge to Trump has struggled to mount a serious fundraising effort, according to most recent Federal Election Commission filings. That's also been true for pro-Weld super PAC America United. Weld was joined in Republican primary race in recent weeks by Joe Walsh, a former tea-party-backed, a one-term congressman from Illiis, and Sanford, former South Carolina goverr and congressman. Since anuncing for president in April, Weld has struggled to gain footing in New Hampshire even with frequent campaigning in state. Sanford and Walsh both recently me initial visits. At end of June, committee h raised only $60,000 and h less than $20,000 cash on hand. Stevens emphasized last week that fundraising is just starting. By comparison, New Day for America, a super PAC supporting former Ohio Gov. John Kasich, ended June with close to $414,000 cash on hand.

" people that we're talking to are against Donald Trump," Stevens said. "And y were against Donald Trump before, so it's t like some light bulb went off. This may open up a new group of dors. I just don't kw yet."

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Kristol, a director of Defending Democracy Toger, a 501(c)(4) anti-Trump conservative group, said Trump's dealings with Ukraine and impeachment proceedings have led to Never Trump dors feeling vindicated. And last week Republicans for Rule of Law, a project of Defending Democracy Toger, anunced it h begun targeting digital s at some congressional Republicans as " first st in a $1 million campaign urging Republicans to stand up for rule of law and speak out against president's abuse of power". It could be a new ballgame, Kristol said. He also raised possibility of or Trump challengers getting into race.

"I would say y're being seen as serious. I don't think people think y can win," Kristol said of three current Trump primary challengers. "But I think you can be serious without having much of a chance of winning if you raise issues and show weakness in front-runner."

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Transition in Trump's Republican critics

"Most of Never Trumpers in Republican Party, both dors, and activists, are grually becoming After Trumpers," said Dan Schnur, a former Republican turned independent who was national director of communications for McCain's 2000 presidential run. He ded: "Impeachment could force ir hand, but right w, y're devoting ir time and effort to thinking about what Republican Party could or should be once Trump has left political landscape."

Dating back to 1976, sitting presidents have a history of losing general election after a serious primary challenge. But for Trump's Republican challengers, case to be taken seriously has only become more difficult as a handful of state parties cancel ir primaries and or minating contests. Walsh hasn't been shy about his struggles as a candidate and conceded before impeachment inquiry that it h "t been easy to raise money". But he has been encourd by interest and support from small-dollar dors. re is less support from big dors w, even from ones who h donated to him in past.

" vast majority of those dors, even though y like me, many of m are still onboard Trump train," Walsh said.

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