WASHINGTON — The political fundraising appeal has been completely reversed: Some long-shot Republican presidential candidates will now give you money.
Doug Burgum is offering a $20 gift card for a $1 donation. Francis Suarez’s super PAC will pay up to $15,000 in college tuition sweepstakes for a lucky donor. Vivek Ramaswamy will return 10% of contributions to those who raise money for his campaign.
These lesser-known Republican presidential hopefuls are going to great lengths to gin up enough donors — and name recognition — so that they can participate in the first GOP debate on Aug. 23 in Milwaukee. To qualify, they must have a minimum of 40,000 unique donors and to achieve at least 1% support in national polls two days before the event.
