Vice President Kamala Harris raises $200 million in her first week as a 2024 presidential contender, showcasing a surge in Democratic support and enthusiasm.
Vice President Kamala Harris has garnered an impressive $200 million in the first week of her 2024 presidential campaign, signaling a significant wave of enthusiasm among Democrats. This surge in fundraising and support is reflected in recent polls, which show an increase in Harris’ favorability rating from 35% to 43% in just a week. According to an ABC News poll published Sunday, Americans are more excited about Harris’ candidacy than former President Donald Trump’s.
Fundraising Milestones and First-Time Donors
Harris’ campaign revealed that 66% of her fundraising came from first-time donors. This remarkable haul builds on the $81 million she raised within 24 hours of President Joe Biden’s announcement that he would not seek re-election, a record-breaking achievement for any candidate in history.
Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, who is on Harris’ shortlist for potential running mates, commented on the new energy within the campaign during an appearance on CNN’s “State of the Union” on Sunday. “It’s just a whole new vibe to the campaign,” Walz stated, emphasizing the growing momentum behind Harris.
Republican Response and Campaign Strategies
The withdrawal of Biden from the race has forced the Trump-Vance campaign to adjust its strategy, now facing a younger opponent with a distinct ideological stance. Walz projected confidence in the Democratic camp, asserting that the Trump campaign lacks new strategies. “There isn’t going to be a pivot because they don’t have any new plans,” he remarked.
Over the weekend, both campaigns ramped up their attacks. Trump targeted the crypto industry and promised to dismiss Securities and Exchange Commission Chair Gary Gensler, while branding Harris as an “out-of-touch San Francisco liberal” at a rally in Minnesota.
In contrast, Harris maintained her campaign schedule, attending a fundraising event at a theater in Pittsfield, Massachusetts, where she described Trump and his running mate JD Vance’s rhetoric as “weird.” Harris is set to campaign in Atlanta on Tuesday.
Polls and Political Endorsements
New Hampshire Governor Chris Sununu, a Republican who initially endorsed Nikki Haley before supporting Trump, predicted the race would become a “neck-and-neck” contest following Harris’ initial surge. “This is the honeymoon period,” Sununu stated on ABC’s This Week. “The first poll, I believe, that will actually matter is the Wednesday after Labor Day.”
Harris has already secured enough delegate support to clinch the Democratic nomination. A significant endorsement from former President Barack Obama was announced on Friday, further solidifying her position.
Campaign Finances and Spending
The Biden campaign entered July with $96 million in cash on hand but had a high burn rate, spending 93% of the money it raised in June. In contrast, Trump’s campaign, which spent only 46% of its June fundraising, had $128 million in the bank. Despite some polls showing Trump with a slight edge, the Biden campaign continued to spend heavily even as calls for Biden to end his re-election bid grew.
Earlier in the contest, Biden had a substantial financial advantage, partly due to the absence of a serious Democratic challenger and Trump’s struggles with a contentious GOP primary and multiple legal battles. However, Trump’s fundraising has seen a resurgence in recent months, bolstered by contributions from big-dollar Republican donors and support from Wall Street and corporate executives attracted to his economic policies.
As the race for the White House intensifies, both campaigns are poised to leverage their financial resources and strategic endorsements to sway voters ahead of the crucial election season.