After Debate, Contributors Breathe New Life Into Warren Campaign

BOSTON, MA —For Elizabeth Warren and Bernie Sanders, Wednesday's debate between Democratic presidential candidates in Las Vegas ended up being more than just a chance to score political points against their opponents.

Warren's campaign said Thursday it had pulled in $2.8 million in new donations in the hours following the debate, while Sanders's campaign reported a fresh $2.7 million from more than 150,000 donations. That gave both candidates dry powder heading into Saturday's caucus in Nevada.

The debate performance, in which both senators went after former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg, as well as the subsequent financial windfall, was particularly beneficial for Warren, who was still stinging from a poor showing in this month's New Hampshire primary. Warren has slipped in polls while Sanders was leading in most national polls. Recent polls also showed Sanders with a 19-point lead in Nevada.

Warren, however, is getting help in Nevada from a super PAC — the very type of political entities she has spoken out against in the past. The newly-formed Persist PAC, which is led by progressive political consultants, made a $1 million television advertising buy in Nevada for Warren, OpenSecrets.org reported this week. It's the first time Warren has received super PAC support.