WASHINGTON: US Vice President Kamala Harris’ presidential campaign has announced a significant fundraising milestone, reporting that it has raised $540 million in its effort to secure her election against Republican nominee, former President Donald Trump.
This impressive total includes a notable surge in donations and volunteer support following Harris’ nomination at the Democratic National Convention.
The campaign’s fundraising boost follows President Joe Biden’s abrupt announcement on July 21 that he was ending his re-election bid and endorsing Harris as his successor.
The Harris campaign reported that it saw a substantial increase in contributions during the Democratic National Convention held in Chicago last week, where Harris, alongside her vice-presidential running mate, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, officially accepted their nominations.
In a memo released on Sunday, campaign chair Jen O’Malley Dillon highlighted the success of Harris’ acceptance speech, noting that the campaign surpassed the $500 million mark just before the speech. “Immediately after her speech, we saw our best fundraising hour since launch day,” Dillon wrote.
While former President Trump’s campaign remains a formidable force in fundraising, it has been overshadowed by Harris’ recent financial gains. Trump’s campaign and affiliated entities reported raising $138.7 million in July alone, a figure that falls short of the amount Harris raised during her campaign’s opening week. As of early August, Trump’s campaign reported having $327 million in cash on hand.
The $540 million raised by Harris encompasses contributions from her campaign committee, the Democratic National Committee (DNC), and various joint fundraising committees.
Dillon noted that nearly one-third of the donations during the convention week came from first-time contributors. Among these new donors, approximately 20% were young voters, and two-thirds were women, demographics the campaign identifies as critical for securing a victory in November.
The Harris campaign has reported a significant increase in volunteer support. During the convention week, nearly 200,000 volunteer shifts were signed up for, reflecting the heightened enthusiasm and engagement among supporters.
