Harris Almost Triples Trump’s Fundraising in August

In a remarkable feat, Vice President Kamala Harris raised $361 million in August, marking what her campaign touted as the most successful grassroots fundraising month in presidential history. This impressive sum significantly outpaced former President Donald Trump, who garnered $130 million during the same timeframe as both campaigns shift their focus towards crucial final preparations for the fall elections.

Harris’ campaign, along with affiliated committees, now boasts $404 million in cash on hand, giving her a substantial $100 million lead over Trump’s nearly $300 million war chest. This financial advantage was detailed in figures released by both campaigns earlier this week.

August was a critical month for Harris, representing her first full month as the Democratic Party’s presidential nominee. The month also coincided with the party’s national convention held in Chicago. Since Harris took over the top of the ticket in late July, her campaign has raised over $615 million, showcasing a strong financial foundation.

The substantial fundraising figures illustrate a shift in momentum for the Democratic Party, which had experienced a dwindling financial edge. This change occurred after Trump surged past President Joe Biden in fundraising following his conviction in New York in late May. However, Harris’s ascension to the Democratic nomination in July unleashed a remarkable influx of donations.

With a robust financial backing, the Harris campaign is making significant investments in political advertising, planning to spend $370 million on television and digital ads from Labor Day through Election Day. Moreover, the campaign has pledged nearly $25 million toward supporting down-ballot races—indicating a more proactive financial commitment to other Democratic candidates than typically seen at this stage in campaigns.

Comprehensive financial filings for August, which will provide deeper insights into expenditure and fundraising strategies, are set to be submitted by September 20. These details are expected to shed light on the campaign’s financial activities.

Harris’ campaign celebrated its success in small-dollar fundraising, proclaiming August as its most successful month for grassroots contributions. The campaign noted that approximately 1.3 million individuals contributed for the first time in August. Highlighting the diverse demographic of these donors, it reported that 60 percent of all contributors were women, while a fifth identified as registered Republicans or independents.

“In a remarkably short time, Vice President Harris’ candidacy has sparked a historical, broad, and diverse coalition—characterized by the enthusiasm, energy, and resilience necessary to secure victory in tight elections,” stated Julie Chávez Rodríguez, Harris’ campaign manager. This statement was included with the fundraising figures disclosed on Friday, emphasizing the campaign’s drive to galvanize support to defeat Trump decisively.