COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) 鈥 The first Republican presidential debate provided an opportunity for candidates to make their cases directly to a national audience, and some of that attention is translating into fundraising boosts.
Biotech entrepreneur has taken in $450,000 since Wednesday night's debate, with an average donation of $38, campaign spokeswoman Tricia McLaughlin told The Associated Press on Thursday.
Ramaswamy, a political newcomer in the , scored several memorable moments during the debate, criticizing some rivals as 鈥渟uper PAC puppets鈥 who were using 鈥渞eady-made, preprepared slogans鈥 to attack him.
Ramaswamy, has largely been self-funding his campaign and raised more than $7.7 million in the second quarter, finishing with more than $9 million on hand.
At least one candidate, South Carolina Sen. made a direct fundraising appeal onstage Milwaukee, asking viewers in his closing remarks to go to his campaign website 鈥渇or more information or to make a contribution.鈥
Former President Donald Trump, who is the early front-runner for the nomination, skipped the debate.
Other campaigns didn't immediately respond to messages Thursday about their post-debate fundraising, but some donors are talking.
After being briefed in Milwaukee by top campaign staffers for Florida Gov. donor Hal Lambert said he was pleased with his chosen candidate's performance.
鈥淓veryone鈥檚 extremely happy,鈥 Lambert said in an interview. 鈥淚 think he did extremely well. I think he stayed out of the bickering on stage."
Pete Snyder, an investor and DeSantis donor, said the governor was 鈥渟trong,鈥 and 鈥渇orceful鈥 and able to get his message out 鈥渨ithout distraction.鈥
The DeSantis campaign has not provided details about what it has raised, but Snyder said, 鈥淚t鈥檚 showing with the contributions that are coming in. We had a huge day.鈥
A handful of candidates in order to meet the Republican 好色tv Committee's 40,000 minimum unique donor requirement for debate participants. Some of the ploys worked, such as North Dakota Gov. giveaway of $20 鈥淏iden Relief Cards" in exchange for donations as low as $1.
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Associated Press writer Michelle L. Price in New York contributed to this report.
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Meg Kinnard can be reached at
