WASHINGTON (AP) -- Seeking an early edge in a crowded GOP field, Texas Gov. George W. Bush has raised at least $3 million so far this year for a possible presidential bid, according to Republicans familiar with his fund raising.
Bush's take for the first three months of 1999 is expected to put him ahead of several potential rivals for the Republican presidential nomination when their first fund-raising reports come out April 15.Two of Bush's potential challengers expect to report less than $1 million in fund raising: Former American Red Cross President Elizabeth Dole will report in the "mid-six figures," while former Tennessee Gov. Lamar Alexander expects between $700,000 and $800,000, their spokesmen said.
Other GOP contenders are closer in the money race to Bush, early leader in Republican primary polls.
Dan Quayle, who served as vice president under Bush's father, is expected to report around $2 million, spokesman Jonathan Baron said.
Sen. John McCain of Arizona, who had a fund-raiser last week in New York; conservative activist Gary Bauer; and Rep. John Kasich of Ohio, who is spending the week raising money on the West Coast, also are expected to disclose at least $1 million in contributions for the period Jan. 1 through March 31, campaign officials said.
The race for campaign funds is considered the first primary of the 2000 presidential election. Politicians and strategists say a candidate needs to raise $20 million by the end of this year to properly finance a campaign in 2000.
Bush is considering forgoing federal matching funds.