Another month, another set of campaign finance filings. This month's reports cover the fundraising and expenses of the presidential campaigns and the super PACs in the month of February. Here are some of the takeaways, so far:
Barack Obama raised $21.3 million in February, his best month so far, but still far off from where he was at this point in 2008. His campaign is still pulling big percentages of their contributions from small donors giving under $200. In February small donors accounted for 44 percent of his total contributions while max-out donors giving $2,500 or more made up only 20 percent.
Mitt Romney, who has yet to officially file his report, says that he raised $11.5 million in February, one of his best months, if not the best, to date.
Rick Santorum reportedly raised more than $9 million in February, with about half coming from small donors. That is by far his best fundraising period to date. It is $3 million more than he raised for his entire campaign prior to February.
Newt Gingrich, however, slumped in February raising only $2.6 million while spending $2.8 million.
The super PAC providing Romney's campaign with unlimited negative advertising reported raising another $6.4 million in February from 98 donors (only 14 of those donors accounted for 80 percent of all of the contributions). Texas homebuilder and noted Republican mega-donor Bob Perry contributed $3 million to the super PAC vaulting him to the top of the heap of Romney super PAC donors. Other donors can be found in this HuffPost report.
HuffPost will be covering more campaign reports as they come in.
Other stories:
The super PAC backing Ron Paul, which raised little money in February, is targeting older, whiter voters online, according to ClickZ.
Payday lenders give big to Romney's super PAC, according to LA Times.
ABC News runs the cost per vote for the Republican campaigns and their super PACs.
Elizabeth Warren has a busy schedule of fundraisers on the East Coast coming up this month and next.
AD WATCH
Help us populate our list of campaign videos. Send any notable TV, radio or web ads that you see to Fundrace. Send your submissions to paulblumenthal@huffingtonpost.com.
Committee: Democratic National Committee
Candidate Opposed: Mitt Romney
Spot: "Mitt Romney to Women: You're On Your Own"
Market: YouTube.
Buy: None. Just a web video.
Committee: Republican National Committee
Candidate Opposed: Barack Obama
Spot: "Higher Costs"
Market: Unknown.
Buy: Undisclosed.
Committee: John Brunner for Senate
Spot: "Sad Sight"
Market: Missouri.
Buy: Undisclosed.
Committee: Tim Murphy for Congress
Spot: "Every Time"
Market: PA-18.
Buy: Undisclosed.
TRACKING INDEPENDENT SPENDING IN THE PRESIDENTIAL RACE:
These numbers represent spending by independent groups, like super PACs and non-profits, to support or oppose a particular candidate for the presidency in 2012. Fundrace will update this spending daily to help show which candidates are gaining from the proliferation of independent groups in this coming election.
TRACKING INDEPENDENT SPENDING IN THE PRESIDENTIAL RACE:
These numbers represent spending by independent groups, like super PACs and non-profits, to support or oppose a particular candidate for the presidency in 2012. Fundrace will update this spending daily to help show which candidates are gaining from the proliferation of independent groups in this coming election.
Newt Gingrich (R), $12,760,055 to support, $18,881,563 to oppose.
Rick Santorum (R), $7,247,698 to support, $16,826,388 to oppose. (+$6,272)
Mitt Romney (R), $2,525,334 to support, $6,460,682 to oppose. (Support: +$22,757, Oppose: $32,536)
Rick Perry (R), $4,167,697 to support, $1,404 to oppose.
Ron Paul (R), $3,735,676 to support, $214,158 to oppose.
Jon Huntsman (R), $2,453,204 to support, $0 to oppose.
Barack Obama (D), $280,441 to support, $928,780 to oppose.
Herman Cain (R), $501,717 to support, $954 to oppose.
Gary Johnson (R), $518 to support, $0 to oppose.
RECENT INDEPENDENT EXPENDITURES
Restore Our Future, $22,757 to support Mitt Romney for President in Illinois.
Campaign for Primary Accountability, $11,200 to oppose Donald Manzullo for Congress in Illinois' 16th district.
Campaign for Primary Accountability, $1,037 to support Deborah Halvorson for Congress in Illinois' 2nd district.
International Association of Firefighters, $32,536 to oppose Mitt Romney for President in Illinois.
Susan B. Anthony List, $6,272 to support Rick Santorum for President.
RECENT POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE REGISTRATIONS
EmpowerMN.org, Tampa, Fla., Treasurer: Nancy Watkins. (Super PAC)
EmpowerNE.org, Tampa, Fla., Treasurer: Nancy Watkins. (Super PAC)
Send tips, hints, submissions, rumors to HuffPost Fundrace at paulblumenthal@huffingtonpost.com.