WASHINGTON — President Trump has raised more than $88 million for his reelection campaign during the past year and a half, giving him a dramatic head-start on prospective Democratic challengers in the 2020 race.

Trump’s campaign committee, combined with two joint committees formed with the Republican Party, ended last month with nearly $53.6 million in the bank — almost $10 million more than their previous largest balance — according to finance reports filed on Sunday evening with the Federal Election Commission.

The totals reflect a brisk and continued fund-raising effort by Trump’s campaign operation that, in a departure from usual presidential practice, started even before he took office. Most new presidents shift their political operations to their national party committee until launching their reelection campaign after the first midterm election of their tenure.

Trump’s campaign and the joint two committees — Trump Victory and Trump Make America Great Again — have continued spending aggressively to cultivate donors through online list-building targeting small donors and fund-raising events for big donors.

NEW YORK TIMES