Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Mike Bloomberg spent more than $100m to help Biden in states that Trump won

Mr Bloomberg spent an additional $15m on doomed efforts in Ohio and Texas. 

Graig Graziosi
Wednesday 04 November 2020 17:11 EST
Comments
2020 election results

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Former New York Mayor Mike Bloomberg's decision to dump millions of dollars in Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden's campaign efforts in Republican states appears to have been a waste.

Mr Bloomberg - who ran in the Democratic primary but dropped out - contributed more than $100m into Mr Biden's efforts to oust Donald Trump in Florida, Ohio and Texas. Each of the states was won by Mr Trump.

The money was used primarily in ad campaign promoting Mr Biden and attacking Mr Trump.

In addition to the advertising, initiatives to engage black and Latino voters were also funded. However - at least in Florida - Mr Trump appears to have gained support in certain Latino communities.

Follow election results live

The majority of Mr Bloomberg's money - $100m - was spent in Florida. He contributed an additional $15m in Texas and Ohio.

Mr Bloomberg does not view the infusion of cash - and the lack of payoff on his investment - as a loss.

“The goal was to help elect Joe Biden president. We are well on the way to helping achieve that goal,” Bloomberg political adviser Howard Wolfson told The New York Post.

Another adviser, Kevin Sheekey, told CNBC the point of the money was to make Mr Trump have to fight to win those states.

“Our goal was to make Trump fight for a state he was taking for granted and draw resources from blue-wall states, allowing Joe Biden to become more competitive in those states,” he said. “To make Trump fight like hell in Florida.”

Between Mr Bloomberg's primary run and his contributions to Mr Biden's campaign, Mr Bloomberg has spent well over $1bn this year on political goals.

Mr Bloomberg's net-worth is $54bn.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in