WARREN — Between July and September, U.S. Rep. Tim Ryan’s presidential campaign raised $425,731.01 — less than half of what he collected in the second quarter when he was at the bottom of the money list of Democratic candidates seeking the office.

Ryan, D-Howland, significantly lags behind other 2020 Democratic presidential candidates in money raised overall and in the third quarter.

During the third quarter, U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont raised $25.3 million, U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts raised $24.6 million, Mayor Pete Buttigieg of South Bend, Ind., raised $19.1 million, former Vice President Joe Biden raised $15.2 million, and U.S. Sen. Kamala Harris of California raised $11.6 million.

Even among those polling below 1 percent nationally, like Ryan, the congressman fared poorly.

In the third quarter, author Marianne Williamson raised $3 million, Montana Gov. Steve Bullock raised $2.3 million and U.S. Sen. Michael Bennet of Colorado raised $2.1 million.

Ryan spent $602,440.41 in the third quarter, more than he raised between July and September.

He raised $889,398.86 and spent $554,340.54 between April and June, leaving his campaign with $335,058.32 as of June 30.

Ryan had only $158,348.92 in his fund as of Sept. 30 with outstanding debts of $28,225.21.

Overall, he has raised $1,315,129.87 and spent $1,156,780.95 for his presidential campaign, which began April 4.

“We remain optimistic that Tim’s message will resonate with voters across the country,” said Dennis Willard, his campaign spokesman. “He is the candidate from America’s heartland, who understands what happens to workers, families and communities when factories close. And Tim Ryan has a plan to put America back on track so we are a leader in developing the industries that produce good-paying jobs for the future.”

When specifically asked if the amount raised was a disappointment and if Ryan had the money to continue the campaign, Willard referred to his previous statement.

Ryan recently said he plans to stay in the race until at least the end of February after the early primaries and caucuses in Iowa, New Hampshire, Nevada and South Carolina are held.

He also recently said: “We have a very lean operation and we’re getting calls from people to help us. The strategy is to stay in the game.”

Ryan pointed to candidates who have gotten out of the race because they “blew through money,” and that “we’ll have enough money to run the campaign.”

Ryan’s low fundraising and polling numbers kept him out of Tuesday’s debate as it did for the Sept. 12 debate.

He will also not qualify for the fifth Democratic presidential debate, Nov. 20, as the threshold is at least 3 percent in four qualifying polls, or 5 percent in two approved polls in the four early-vote states, and at least 165,000 unique donors with a minimum of 600 different donors from at least 20 states.

dskolnick@tribtoday.com