Pro-Booker super PAC shuts down

A super PAC formed to support Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Cory Booker (D-N.J.) announced that it is shutting down Wednesday, The Associated Press reported.

Steve Phillips — a Democratic donor and activist who has raised money for prominent black candidates such as former President Obama and former Georgia gubernatorial candidate Stacey Abrams — founded Dream United nearly a year ago, according to Politico. Phillips is also a former college classmate of Booker. 

The super PAC has struggled to raise money, according to a Wednesday news release, the AP reported. It raised just more than $1.1 million during the first six months of the year, falling short of Phillips’s stated $10 million goal. 

{mosads}Booker has disavowed funding from super PACS, which legally do not have to publicly disclose donors.

“We remain firm in our belief that Sen. Cory Booker is uniquely qualified to unite and heal Americans across this country at this critical point in our history,” the super PAC stated on its website. “Respecting the Senator’s publicly-stated sentiments about SuperPACs, Dream United will cease operations effective immediately. On November 27, 2019, Dream United initiated the steps to formally close down.”

Phillips said it became clear while he was trying to fundraise for the organization “that the donor community is strictly adhering to Sen. Booker’s publicly articulated wishes that he does not welcome independent support,” according to the AP.