Thompson attracts 9,000 donors in June

More than 9,000 donors contributed a total $3.4 million to likely presidential candidate and former Sen. Fred Thompson (R-Tenn.) in June, according to reports his 527 committee filed with the IRS Tuesday.

{mosads}Though the figure was widely reported Monday, the narrative following the amount seems to be one of a struggling would-be campaign.

Not so, say campaign officials.

Thompson managed to raise an impressive amount of money in one month with only two fundraisers, no direct mail and no telephone support, the exploratory committee said in a release.

“The level of support and enthusiasm from people across this country is inspiring,” Thompson said in the release. “It tells me that people are ready for a leader who will change the national attitude from political bickering to a shared vision for our future. A leader who will bring us together, one who understands the challenges we face.”

The campaign raised the figure from more than 9,000 donors; 7,500 of them were online and 6,888 contributed less than $200.

The campaign noted that only $625,746, or 18 percent of the total, had been spent. The campaign spent more than $106,852 on payroll.

Friends of Fred Thompson Inc. filed as a 527 on June 4. Because he filed as a 527 group, Thompson has not had to file quarterly reports with the Federal Election Commission.

The former senator attended a number of fundraisers in July, including one Monday night in Washington.