Nikki Haley, Vivek Ramaswamy, and Ron DeSantis during the NBC News Republican Presidential Primary Debate.
Politics

The presidential candidate raising the most from individual donations in each state

Written by:
Elena Cox
February 15, 2024
Joe Raedle // Getty Images

The presidential candidate raising the most from individual donations in each state

The 2024 primary elections are underway, and residents in some states have already chosen who they want to see on the ballot in November. But before heading to the polls, Americans showed support for their preferred candidate in 2023 by giving them their hard-earned cash.

Presidential hopefuls raised more than $119 million from individual donors last year, according to the latest data from the Federal Election Commission. Individuals can donate up to $3,300 to a primary campaign and another $3,300 for the general election but can spread that over multiple payments.

Republicans fared particularly well—receiving 75% of the total haul—but the once-crowded field has thinned out in recent months. The top fundraiser, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, ended his campaign in January. Coming in second was former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley, who raked in $22.5 million, but also ended her campaign in March. She's followed by independent candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Democratic President Joe Biden.

One candidate noticeably absent from the top 10 fundraisers was former President Donald Trump. Trump received $145,000 from individual donors in 2023, FEC data shows. Prior to the 2016 general election, his presidential campaign received more than $75 million in donations from individual contributors. Recent attempts at salvaging his campaign include gamifying donation tiers and offering rewards and perks to the highest donors.

The total amount a candidate raises is just one way to look at voter sentiment. (A New York Times analysis of the same data shows Trump had more individual small donors in 2023 compared to Biden.) The former president cinched the 2024 Republican presidential nomination in mid-March, cementing a Trump-Biden rematch.

Stacker analyzed campaign finance data compiled by the FEC to see which presidential candidates Americans gave the most money to in 2023. Candidates are ranked on the total dollar amount they received from individual campaign donors in each state.

A map showing the top-fundraising presidential campaigns in 2023. Ron DeSantis, Nikki Haley, Joe Biden, and Robert F. Kennedy Jr. each outraised their opponents in multiple states.
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Stacker

Presidential support varies by region

When it comes to the candidates' fundraising success in each state, Haley outraised her opponents in 22 states in 2023. Her appeal is noticeable in the Midwest, a key battleground region during general elections. DeSantis, meanwhile, performed better in the South, receiving $11.9 million from Floridians alone.

Home-state advantages play a key role. It's easier to get donations from already established donor and support networks than to convince voters in other states to open their wallets. Case in point: Former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie raised the most in the Garden State, while previously unknown businessman Vivek Ramaswamy outperformed the competition in his home state of Ohio. Both dropped out of the Republican primary in January.

When a candidate withdraws their candidacy, they have 60 days to return excess funds to donors after paying off any outstanding debt, according to campaign finance rules. They can also redesignate those funds if they get permission from the donor. Once approved, candidates can put primary donations toward their own general election congressional campaign or give the money to another candidate.

Read on to see which candidates raised the most money from donors in your state.

Ron DeSantis participates in the NewsNation Republican Presidential Primary Debate.
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Justin Sullivan // Getty Images

Alabama

1. Ron DeSantis ($182,309 in total donations)
2. Nikki Haley ($110,424 in total donations)
3. Tim Scott ($73,519 in total donations)

Nikki Haley waves to supporters while arriving for her first campaign event.
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Win McNamee // Getty Images

Alaska

1. Nikki Haley ($29,453 in total donations)
2. Ron DeSantis ($28,945 in total donations)
3. Robert F. Kennedy Jr. ($27,457 in total donations)

Nikki Haley speaks during a campaign rally.
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Brandon Bell // Getty Images

Arizona

1. Nikki Haley ($548,629 in total donations)
2. Ron DeSantis ($484,841 in total donations)
3. Robert F. Kennedy Jr. ($416,910 in total donations)

Asa Hutchinson speaks during the Florida Freedom Summit.
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Joe Raedle // Getty Images

Arkansas

1. Asa Hutchinson ($537,175 in total donations)
2. Nikki Haley ($184,141 in total donations)
3. Joe Biden ($38,759 in total donations)

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. speaks at a Hispanic Heritage Month event at Wilshire Ebell Theatre.
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Mario Tama // Getty Images

California

1. Robert F. Kennedy Jr. ($3,825,496 in total donations)
2. Ron DeSantis ($3,453,531 in total donations)
3. Joe Biden ($2,412,342 in total donations)

Nikki Haley delivers remarks during the FOX Business Republican Primary Debate.
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Justin Sullivan // Getty Images

Colorado

1. Nikki Haley ($466,920 in total donations)
2. Ron DeSantis ($419,404 in total donations)
3. Robert F. Kennedy Jr. ($415,841 in total donations)

Nikki Haley speaks during the NBC News Republican Presidential Primary Debate at the Adrienne Arsht Center.
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Joe Raedle // Getty Images

Connecticut

1. Nikki Haley ($374,874 in total donations)
2. Ron DeSantis ($309,780 in total donations)
3. Robert F. Kennedy Jr. ($241,656 in total donations)

President Biden Speaks on his Bidenomics Economic Plan.
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Chip Somodevilla // Getty Images

Delaware

1. Joe Biden ($110,567 in total donations)
2. Nikki Haley ($43,845 in total donations)
3. Robert F. Kennedy Jr. ($38,359 in total donations)

Ron DeSantis speaks during an event spotlighting his newly released book.
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Joe Raedle // Getty Images

Florida

1. Ron DeSantis ($11,859,915 in total donations)
2. Nikki Haley ($2,144,580 in total donations)
3. Jim Alexander Norris ($1,430,000 in total donations)

Nikki Haley speaks at an event hosted by Conservative radio host Erick Erickson.
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Megan Varner // Getty Images

Georgia

1. Nikki Haley ($763,466 in total donations)
2. Ron DeSantis ($457,259 in total donations)
3. Robert F. Kennedy Jr. ($330,055 in total donations)

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. makes a campaign announcement at a press conference.
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Jessica Kourkounis // Getty Images

Hawaii

1. Robert F. Kennedy Jr. ($126,453 in total donations)
2. Joe Biden ($90,834 in total donations)
3. Nikki Haley ($36,294 in total donations)

Nikki Haley speaks at her caucus night event.
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Joe Raedle // Getty Images

Idaho

1. Nikki Haley ($92,106 in total donations)
2. Robert F. Kennedy Jr. ($69,808 in total donations)
3. Ron DeSantis ($55,815 in total donations)

Nikki Haley delivers a major policy speech.
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Alex Wong // Getty Images

Illinois

1. Nikki Haley ($585,809 in total donations)
2. Ron DeSantis ($581,221 in total donations)
3. Joe Biden ($426,124 in total donations)

Mike Pence appears on FOX News Channel's "America Reports."
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Paul Morigi // Getty Images

Indiana

1. Mike Pence ($920,190 in total donations)
2. Ron DeSantis ($333,802 in total donations)
3. Nikki Haley ($189,135 in total donations)

Nikki Haley speaks at a campaign event.
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Joe Raedle // Getty Images

Iowa

1. Nikki Haley ($191,293 in total donations)
2. Ron DeSantis ($77,561 in total donations)
3. Joe Biden ($64,550 in total donations)

Ron DeSantis gives remarks at the Heritage Foundation's 50th Anniversary Leadership Summit.
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Anna Moneymaker // Getty Images

Kansas

1. Ron DeSantis ($236,468 in total donations)
2. Nikki Haley ($109,454 in total donations)
3. Robert F. Kennedy Jr. ($63,816 in total donations)

Ron DeSantis speaks during the Moms for Liberty Joyful Warriors national summit.
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Michael M. Santiago // Getty Images

Kentucky

1. Ron DeSantis ($114,723 in total donations)
2. Nikki Haley ($113,399 in total donations)
3. Robert F. Kennedy Jr. ($87,392 in total donations)

Ron DeSantis speaks during the Moms for Liberty Joyful Warriors national summit.
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Michael M. Santiago // Getty Images

Louisiana

1. Ron DeSantis ($121,558 in total donations)
2. Nikki Haley ($116,172 in total donations)
3. Robert F. Kennedy Jr. ($73,704 in total donations)

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. speaks to supporters during a campaign event.
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Brianna Soukup // Getty Images

Maine

1. Robert F. Kennedy Jr. ($152,806 in total donations)
2. Joe Biden ($82,446 in total donations)
3. Nikki Haley ($64,266 in total donations)

Nikki Haley speaks during the annual Conservative Political Action Conference.
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Anna Moneymaker // Getty Images

Maryland

1. Nikki Haley ($472,630 in total donations)
2. Joe Biden ($404,965 in total donations)
3. Ron DeSantis ($233,909 in total donations)

Nikki Haley participates in the CNN Republican Presidential Primary Debate.
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Kevin Dietsch // Getty Images

Massachusetts

1. Nikki Haley ($679,319 in total donations)
2. Joe Biden ($650,970 in total donations)
3. Robert F. Kennedy Jr. ($396,216 in total donations)

Perry Johnson speaks to guests at the Republican Party of Iowa 2023 Lincoln Dinner.
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Scott Olson // Getty Images

Michigan

1. Perry Johnson ($1,892,019 in total donations)
2. Robert F. Kennedy Jr. ($359,471 in total donations)
3. Ron DeSantis ($301,306 in total donations)

Nikki Haley participates in a Fox News Town Hall.
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Win McNamee // Getty Images

Minnesota

1. Nikki Haley ($358,165 in total donations)
2. Doug Burgum ($200,388 in total donations)
3. Joe Biden ($188,845 in total donations)

Ron DeSantis speaks to guests at the Republican Party of Iowa 2023 Lincoln Dinner.
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Scott Olson // Getty Images

Mississippi

1. Ron DeSantis ($132,799 in total donations)
2. Nikki Haley ($43,995 in total donations)
3. Tim Scott ($23,183 in total donations)

Nikki Haley speaks at a campaign stop.
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CHRISTIAN MONTERROSA/AFP // Getty Images

Missouri

1. Nikki Haley ($409,769 in total donations)
2. Robert F. Kennedy Jr. ($137,492 in total donations)
3. Ron DeSantis ($126,031 in total donations)

Nikki Haley speaks to guests at the Republican Party of Iowa 2023 Lincoln Dinner.
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Scott Olson // Getty Images

Montana

1. Nikki Haley ($75,489 in total donations)
2. Ron DeSantis ($64,339 in total donations)
3. Joe Biden ($50,562 in total donations)

Nikki Haley speaks at her caucus night event.
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Joe Raedle // Getty Images

Nebraska

1. Nikki Haley ($92,480 in total donations)
2. Robert F. Kennedy Jr. ($50,350 in total donations)
3. Ron DeSantis ($45,308 in total donations)

Nikki Haley participates in the CNN Republican Presidential Primary Debate.
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Chip Somodevilla // Getty Images

Nevada

1. Nikki Haley ($263,840 in total donations)
2. Ron DeSantis ($243,371 in total donations)
3. Robert F. Kennedy Jr. ($185,146 in total donations)

Nikki Haley arrives on stage during a campaign event at Exeter High School in Newmarket, New Hampshire.
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Joe Raedle // Getty Images

New Hampshire

1. Nikki Haley ($204,972 in total donations)
2. Robert F. Kennedy Jr. ($120,320 in total donations)
3. Joe Biden ($102,727 in total donations)

Chris Christie speaks during the NBC News Republican Presidential Primary Debate.
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Joe Raedle // Getty Images

New Jersey

1. Chris Christie ($1,894,617 in total donations)
2. Ron DeSantis ($833,667 in total donations)
3. Nikki Haley ($608,684 in total donations)

Joe Biden speaks at Arcosa Wind Towers in Belen, New Mexico.
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JIM WATSON // Getty Images

New Mexico

1. Joe Biden ($103,192 in total donations)
2. Robert F. Kennedy Jr. ($86,634 in total donations)
3. Nikki Haley ($85,160 in total donations)

Ron DeSantis waves as he speaks to police officers about protecting law and order in the Staten Island.
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Spencer Platt // Getty Images

New York

1. Ron DeSantis ($2,144,556 in total donations)
2. Nikki Haley ($1,322,654 in total donations)
3. Robert F. Kennedy Jr. ($1,251,864 in total donations)

Nikki Haley delivers remarks at her primary night rally.
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Joe Raedle // Getty Images

North Carolina

1. Nikki Haley ($871,336 in total donations)
2. Ron DeSantis ($333,811 in total donations)
3. Joe Biden ($262,223 in total donations)

Doug Burgum speaks to the press after speaking during a campaign rally.
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Brandon Bell // Getty Images

North Dakota

1. Doug Burgum ($892,785 in total donations)
2. Nikki Haley ($28,418 in total donations)
3. Joe Biden ($7,409 in total donations)

Vivek Ramaswamy speaks at his caucus night event.
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Kevin Dietsch // Getty Images

Ohio

1. Vivek Ramaswamy ($2,435,490 in total donations)
2. Nikki Haley ($679,125 in total donations)
3. Robert F. Kennedy Jr. ($327,664 in total donations)

Ron DeSantis participates in the NewsNation Republican Presidential Primary Debate.
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Justin Sullivan // Getty Images

Oklahoma

1. Ron DeSantis ($204,374 in total donations)
2. Nikki Haley ($153,928 in total donations)
3. Vivek Ramaswamy ($62,618 in total donations)

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. speaks during a campaign event.
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Eva Marie Uzcategui // Getty Images

Oregon

1. Robert F. Kennedy Jr. ($285,087 in total donations)
2. Joe Biden ($217,583 in total donations)
3. Nikki Haley ($183,041 in total donations)

Ron DeSantis speaks during the Moms for Liberty Joyful Warriors national summit.
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Michael M. Santiago // Getty Images

Pennsylvania

1. Ron DeSantis ($809,469 in total donations)
2. Nikki Haley ($468,801 in total donations)
3. Joe Biden ($370,042 in total donations)

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announcing his candidacy for President.
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Scott Eisen // Getty Images

Rhode Island

1. Robert F. Kennedy Jr. ($59,826 in total donations)
2. Joe Biden ($36,750 in total donations)
3. Nikki Haley ($30,153 in total donations)

Nikki Haley speaks during a get-out-the-vote Pizza and Politics campaign event.
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Joseph Prezioso // Getty Images

South Carolina

1. Nikki Haley ($2,164,207 in total donations)
2. Tim Scott ($2,040,117 in total donations)
3. Ron DeSantis ($267,582 in total donations)

Nikki Haley speaks at a campaign town hall event.
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Joseph Prezioso // Getty Images

South Dakota

1. Nikki Haley ($58,011 in total donations)
2. Ron DeSantis ($49,372 in total donations)
3. Doug Burgum ($25,281 in total donations)

Ron DeSantis speaks to guests during a campaign rally.
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Scott Olson // Getty Images

Tennessee

1. Ron DeSantis ($749,943 in total donations)
2. Tim Scott ($459,192 in total donations)
3. Nikki Haley ($382,911 in total donations)

Ron DeSantis delivers remarks during his "Our Great American Comeback" Tour stop.
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Scott Eisen // Getty Images

Texas

1. Ron DeSantis ($3,020,079 in total donations)
2. Nikki Haley ($2,529,801 in total donations)
3. Robert F. Kennedy Jr. ($1,132,264 in total donations)

Ron DeSantis speaks during a campaign event.
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Joe Raedle // Getty Images

Utah

1. Ron DeSantis ($324,857 in total donations)
2. Robert F. Kennedy Jr. ($260,115 in total donations)
3. Nikki Haley ($159,867 in total donations)

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. takes questions from media after his campaign rally.
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Rebecca Noble // Getty Images

Vermont

1. Robert F. Kennedy Jr. ($72,932 in total donations)
2. Joe Biden ($48,314 in total donations)
3. Nikki Haley ($23,044 in total donations)

Nikki Haley speaks during a campaign event to launch her presidential bid.
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Logan Cyrus // Getty Images

Virginia

1. Nikki Haley ($698,141 in total donations)
2. Ron DeSantis ($634,529 in total donations)
3. Joe Biden ($411,793 in total donations)

Joe Biden speaks during a campaign event.
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Drew Angerer // Getty Images

Washington

1. Joe Biden ($628,604 in total donations)
2. Nikki Haley ($493,168 in total donations)
3. Robert F. Kennedy Jr. ($431,449 in total donations)

Joe Biden speaks on the Senate's recent passage of the National Security Supplemental Bill.
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Anna Moneymaker // Getty Images

Washington D.C.

1. Joe Biden ($299,618 in total donations)
2. Nikki Haley ($203,348 in total donations)
3. Ron DeSantis ($178,571 in total donations)

Nikki Haley speaks at her caucus night event.
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Joe Raedle // Getty Images

West Virginia

1. Nikki Haley ($28,296 in total donations)
2. Ron DeSantis ($22,487 in total donations)
3. Joe Biden ($19,740 in total donations)

Nikki Haley visits a caucus site.
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Kevin Dietsch // Getty Images

Wisconsin

1. Nikki Haley ($334,010 in total donations)
2. Ron DeSantis ($287,044 in total donations)
3. Robert F. Kennedy Jr. ($123,357 in total donations)

Ron DeSantis gives remarks at the Heritage Foundation's 50th Anniversary Leadership Summit.
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Anna Moneymaker // Getty Images

Wyoming

1. Ron DeSantis ($99,647 in total donations)
2. Nikki Haley ($59,666 in total donations)
3. Robert F. Kennedy Jr. ($39,384 in total donations)

Story editing by Ashleigh Graf. Copy editing by Tim Bruns. Photo selection by Clarese Moller. 

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