$1 for $20? Republican presidential candidate promises to give gift cards to donors

Marina Pitofsky, USA TODAY
Updated ·2 min read
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North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum
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$1 for $20?

Republican presidential candidate and North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum is promising a $20 gift card to supporters who donate $1 to his presidential campaign.

“We want to help, so we’re offering YOU a $20 gift card, and all YOU have to do is contribute $1 to claim it,” a fundraising page for Burgum’s campaign says, limiting the offer to the first 50,000 donors.

The governor confirmed on Twitter that the donors will receive a Visa or Mastercard gift card to their mailing address, adding “I’m not messing around!”

The Republican National Committee has said in order to participate in the GOP debate next month in Milwaukee, candidates must have received contributions from at least $40,000 individual donors and at least 200 unique donors in 20 or more states.

“We’re serious about securing a spot on the debate stage so the American people can hear our plan for unleashing the economy and unlocking the best of America,” Burgum shared on Facebook on Wednesday, calling the gift cards “Biden relief cards,” an apparent jab at President Joe Biden.

Burgum has received .1% support in a Real Clear Politics average of polls on the crowded field of Republican candidates. Former President Donald Trump is leading the group with 52.6% support, followed by DeSantis with 21%.

But Burgum isn’t the only candidate trying to convince potential donors to help him qualify for Republican debates. Former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, former Vice President Mike Pence and others have all in recent days appealed to supporters to donate to their campaigns to help them meet the RNC threshold.

Candidates aren't allowed to reimburse others for campaign contributions, but it wasn’t immediately clear that Burgum’s strategy would violate election rules, according to multiple reports. The Federal Election Commission in a statement to USA TODAY said it "is unable to comment on specific activities, nor may we speculate on matters that may have the potential to come before the agency."

Contributing: The Associated Press

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Republican 2024 presidential candidate offers $20 gift cards to donors