One new Buttigieg supporter is former Goldman Sachs partner David Heller, who has spoken with members of Buttigieg’s bundler operation and has indicated he will back his campaign, these people said.
Heller, an investor in Peloton and a former minority owner in the Philadelphia 76ers, was a key architect during Barack Obama’s fundraising operation during his first run for president in 2008. He helped raise up to $500,000 for Obama’s initial campaign for the White House, according to the nonpartisan Center for Responsive Politics.
Another who is leaning toward Buttigieg is former National Association of Manufacturers president and CEO Jerry Jasinowski, these people added. Jasinowski endorsed Hillary Clinton in the 2016 election and contributed to Obama in 2008.
In the wake of Buttigieg’s success in Iowa, the campaign announced it raised more than $2.7 million and attracted more than 22,000 new donors. The addition of some of these business leaders could help Buttigieg gain momentum with fundraisers and have enough cash on hand to successfully compete in the later primary states. He went into 2020 with $14 million on hand, ahead of Biden but behind Sanders. The Iowa Democratic Party allocated the most delegates to Buttigieg in the wake of their caucus debacle last week. The former South Bend, Indiana, mayor acquired 14 delegates, while Sen. Bernie Sanders acquired 12 delegates.
Business leaders heading into Buttigieg’s camp believe that the results from the Iowa caucuses show he is the moderate Democratic candidate who is most capable of defeating President Donald Trump. Through conversations with Buttigieg’s campaign and his allies, intrigued donors have also becoming increasingly impressed with Buttigieg’s political operation….
Buttigieg is drawing some interest from Biden backers, as well. The former vice president finished fourth in Iowa’s caucus results and is on track to have another rough night in New Hampshire.A bundler for Buttigieg’s campaign told CNBC that he had received calls from Biden donors who are now inquiring about the former South Bend mayor’s campaign. This person spoke on the condition of anonymity since these conversations were deemed private.“I think it’s too early for them to jump ship, but if [Biden] doesn’t do well in New Hampshire, I’ll be able to get a lot more people on the Pete train,” this person said.