Romney, RNC raise $40.1 million in April

Mitt Romney and the Republican National Committee (RNC) raised $40.1 million in April, the campaign announced Thursday.

While the totals fall just short of the $43.6 million President Obama raised for his reelection campaign and for Democrats last month, they are a leap over Romney’s $12.5 million haul in March, previously his best month to date.

{mosads}“We are pleased with the strong support we have received from Americans across the country who are looking for new leadership in the White House,” said Spencer Zwick, Romney Victory national finance chairman, in a statement. “Along with the hard work of the Republican National Committee, we will continue to raise the funds necessary to defeat President Obama in November.”

Romney’s campaign said 95 percent of all donations received by the campaign, Romney Victory fund and RNC in April were for $250 or less, totaling $10.1 million. The campaign reports $61.4 million cash in hand.

“Voters are tired of President Obama’s broken promises,” said RNC Chairman Reince Priebus on Thursday. “Mitt Romney has the record and plan to turn our country around — that is why he is receiving such enthusiastic support from voters across the country.”

Last month, Romney began joint fundraising efforts with the RNC, and his efforts were also boosted after his chief rival former Sen. Rick Santorum (Pa.) exited the GOP primary race, leaving Romney the de facto nominee.

A top Romney fundraiser told The Hill last month that Romney’s fundraising had skyrocketed with the competitive primary coming to an end.  

Romney has also boosted his fundraising appearances as he seeks to close the money gap with President Obama. At the end of March, Romney had about $10 million in the bank, while Obama had $104 million in cash.

Romney, though, holds an edge with outside spending groups. Pro-Romney super-PACs have been able to outspend his GOP rivals during the contested primary and Obama-affiliated groups thanks to big donations from wealthy individuals. 

Romney and the RNC have a fundraising total of $800 million combined, according to a campaign memo obtained by the press.

Yesterday, the Obama campaign announced a $43.6 million haul, down from its March total of $53 million. However, the president’s team expects to have a strong May, in part thanks to Obama’s endorsement of same-sex marriage. Obama raised $15 million last week at a Los Angeles fundraiser hosted by actor George Clooney.

This story was updated at 8:07 a.m.