Kamala Harris Campaign Raises $200M in One Week Following Biden’s Exit
In a significant development for the 2024 US presidential election, Vice President Kamala Harris’s campaign has garnered $200 million in contributions within a week of President Joe Biden’s withdrawal from the race. This influx of funds underscores the rapid consolidation of Democratic support behind Harris, who is now positioned as the party’s leading contender.
The Harris campaign reported that 66 percent of the donations came from first-time contributors in the 2024 election cycle, indicating a broadening base of support. Furthermore, over 170,000 volunteers have pledged their assistance in various campaign activities, such as phone banking and canvassing, demonstrating a surge in grassroots enthusiasm.
“The momentum and energy for Vice President Harris is real — and so are the fundamentals of this race: this election will be very close and decided by a small number of voters in just a few states,” stated Michael Tyler, the campaign’s communications director.
Despite Biden’s exit, the Democratic campaign had $240 million in cash on hand at the end of June, compared to Donald Trump’s campaign, which had $284.9 million. Trump’s campaign also raised $331 million in the second quarter, surpassing the $264 million raised by Biden’s campaign and its Democratic allies.
Harris’s campaign has received endorsements from prominent Democratic figures, including former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries, former House Minority Whip Jim Clyburn, former President Bill Clinton, and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. Additionally, former President Barack Obama and Michelle Obama have announced their endorsement, bolstering Harris’s position within the party.
At a recent fundraiser, Harris acknowledged the challenges ahead, stating that she remains the “underdog” but emphasized that her campaign is gaining traction. This renewed vigor comes after concerns about Biden’s ability to defeat Trump or govern effectively, had he won re-election.
Meanwhile, Trump, during a campaign stop in St. Cloud, Minnesota, labeled Harris a “crazy liberal” and accused her of wanting to “defund the police” and being an “absolute radical” on abortion. Current polls indicate a tightly contested race between Harris and Trump, setting the stage for an intense campaign over the remaining 100 days until the election.
Mitch Landrieu, a campaign co-chair, praised Harris’s recent campaign performance, noting, “This is going to be a very close race.” The Democratic National Convention next month will ultimately decide if Harris will secure the party’s nomination.
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