Harris, Obama, and Hillary Clinton to Host LA Fundraisers This Month

Vice President Kamala Harris is set to host a fundraising event in Los Angeles on September 29. This event comes shortly after former President Barack Obama and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton plan to hold their own fundraisers in the area just a few days earlier.

The invitation for Harris’s fundraiser reveals that ticket prices range from $500 to $1 million, with the lower-priced tickets already sold out. Higher-tier tickets will offer guests a reception with Harris, a “liberty luncheon,” and the opportunity for a photo with her.

Obama and Clinton are scheduled to conduct separate fundraising efforts for Harris on September 20. Clinton’s event is expected to be a daytime luncheon featuring prominent guests, including actresses Jamie Lee Curtis and Sally Field. Obama’s event will take place later that same evening.

According to sources, Obama plans to participate in larger campaign events for Harris next month, as well as events focused on down-ballot races. This reflects a broader strategy of mobilizing support within the Democratic Party, especially as the election season heats up.

The upcoming fundraiser is significant as it will be Harris’s first major fundraising appearance in Los Angeles since she declared her candidacy. Her previous fundraising efforts have seen considerable success; for example, Obama, along with celebrities like George Clooney and Julia Roberts, raised $30 million for then-candidate Joe Biden during a June event in Los Angeles.

Harris’s campaign reported raising an impressive $361 million in August alone, following her first full month as a candidate. This total stemmed from nearly 3 million individual donors. In comparison, former President Donald Trump’s campaign reported raising $130 million during the same month.

The Harris campaign is eager to build on momentum from recent debates, with the team deploying an intensive campaign schedule under the banner of “A New Way Forward.” They have taken on the identity of “underdogs,” even as polls indicate that Harris performed better than Trump in a debate context. A recent ABC News/Ipsos poll revealed that 58% of Americans believe Harris won the debate, compared to 36% who supported Trump. This marks a notable shift from the Biden-Trump debate in June, where Trump was perceived as the victor by a significant margin of 66% to 28%.

This week, Harris has several notable appearances planned, including an event with the National Association of Black Journalists on Tuesday. She is also participating in a live-streamed event with Oprah Winfrey in Michigan on Thursday, followed by campaign stops in Wisconsin on Friday. Such engagements are aimed at solidifying her presence and appeal among various voter demographics as the campaign progresses.

The focus on fundraising efforts, combined with strategic appearances and high-profile endorsements, reflects a concerted effort by Harris and her team to rally support as they prepare for the upcoming election.