Harris Campaign Claims $540M Raised Amid Surge of Donations at DNC

The campaign for Vice President Kamala Harris has reported a remarkable achievement, raising a total of $540 million in preparation for the upcoming election against Republican contender, former President Donald Trump.

This influx of donations has been steady since President Joe Biden announced on July 21 that he would be ending his campaign and subsequently endorsed Harris. Notably, the fundraising effort saw a significant boost during the recent Democratic National Convention held in Chicago, where Harris and her vice presidential running mate, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, formally accepted their nominations.

According to campaign chair Jen O’Malley Dillon, the surge in fundraising was particularly notable. She revealed in a memo that just before Harris delivered her acceptance speech, the campaign crossed the $500 million threshold. Furthermore, following her address, the campaign experienced its highest fundraising hour since the launch.

Conversely, Trump’s campaign has also demonstrated its effectiveness in fundraising but seems to be lagging behind Harris’s campaign, which is just a month old. Recently, Trump’s team, along with affiliated entities, disclosed they amassed $138.7 million in July—an amount that pales in comparison to what Harris collected in her opening week. At the beginning of August, Trump’s campaign reported having $327 million available in cash.

The President’s campaign relies on financing that comes from various sources, including Harris for President, the Democratic National Committee, and joint fundraising committees. Dillon highlighted that a substantial portion of contributions received during the convention week originated from first-time donors. Specifically, nearly one-third of these contributions were from individuals who had never donated before, indicating a strong new interest in the campaign.

Demographics show that young voters and women are vital to the campaign, with about one-fifth of first-time contributors being young voters and two-thirds being women. These groups are identified as critical constituencies whose support will be essential for a successful election outcome in November.

In addition to financial contributions, the Harris campaign is also witnessing a notable increase in volunteer support. During the convention week, nearly 200,000 supporters signed up for volunteer shifts, showcasing a robust grassroots effort to bolster the campaign’s initiatives.

This enthusiasm and commitment from supporters reflect a strategic focus on mobilizing essential groups and establishing a strong presence ahead of the fall election. The campaign is poised to build on this momentum as it transitions into the critical months leading up to the November elections.

As the election season heats up, the vice president’s campaign is clearly tapping into a wave of support that could play a pivotal role in shaping the political landscape as they contest with Trump.