Kamala Harris Raises $13 Million in San Francisco, Celebrates California Roots

In a vibrant homecoming following her nomination as the Democratic presidential candidate, Vice President Kamala Harris returned to California, celebrated by longtime supporters and friends. Speaking to a packed house of around 700 attendees at a San Francisco hotel ballroom, Harris expressed her gratitude and emphasized the critical stakes of the upcoming election.

“It’s good to be home,” she declared as the crowd erupted into cheers, standing in unison to welcome her. “This is a room full of dear, dear friends and longstanding supporters—folks I have known for my entire career. We’ve been through a lot together. I want to thank everyone in here for your love and longstanding support, your friendship, and for your dedication to this country.”

The atmosphere at the fundraising event was invigorating, highlighted by signs like “Make America Joyful Again.” However, Harris quickly shifted to a more serious tone, pointing out that fundamental rights including healthcare, same-sex marriage, and abortion are all at risk in the face of a potential Trump presidency.

“We know what we need to do—we need to knock on doors, we need to register folks to vote, we need to get people to the polls. And every day matters,” Harris said. “That’s why we’re going to win, but let’s not take anything for granted.”

The event featured prominent figures such as House Speaker Emeritus Nancy Pelosi, Gov. Gavin Newsom, and San Francisco Mayor London Breed, raising an impressive $13 million. Ticket prices ranged from $3,300 to $500,000, underscoring the event’s significance in Harris’s political journey.

The vice president’s career trajectory began in San Francisco, where she served as a prosecutor and a City Hall attorney before being elected district attorney in 2003. Pelosi introduced Harris at the fundraiser, expressing pride in her accomplishments and contributions. “This is a good day when we welcome Kamala Harris back home to California,” Pelosi said. “She makes us all so proud, she brings us so much joy, she gives us so much hope.”

The event felt like a reunion, with Harris even mentioning her niece’s children as they posed for photos beside a large campaign sign. She highlighted her long-standing friendship with Newsom, reminiscing about their oath of office in 2004 and their work to marry gay couples that same year. “I have known Gavin as a friend and colleague for so, so many years,” she said with warmth.

This fundraiser capped a whirlwind three-week stretch during which President Biden announced he would not seek re-election and Harris quickly emerged as the Democratic nominee, selecting Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz as her running mate.

In his first interview since stepping aside, Biden explained that his decision was influenced by the need to prioritize defeating Trump. He noted concerns from Democratic lawmakers that his candidacy could negatively impact their campaigns. “The critical issue for me still, it’s not a joke, maintaining this democracy,” he shared. “While it’s a great honor being president, I think I have an obligation to the country to do what I must—beat Trump.”

Last week, Harris and Walz rallied supporters across pivotal battleground states, drawing enthusiastic crowds wherever they went. “Folks are coming to these events bringing so much joy. People are singing and dancing in the aisles long before we get there,” Harris observed, noting that attendees were motivated not only by the urgency of defeating Trump but also by their belief in the country’s values and freedoms.

In a significant move, the Democrats recently gained the endorsement of the Culinary Workers Union in Las Vegas. During the event, Harris also voiced her support for not taxing tips, a policy proposal that resonates with many in the service industry and has been backed by Trump.

The fundraiser fell on the four-year anniversary of Biden choosing Harris as his running mate during the 2020 election cycle. In a fundraising appeal, Biden noted, “It’s been the best decision I’ve made. Kamala’s sharp. She’s tough. She’s going to make one hell of a president.”

Meanwhile, California Republicans highlighted current challenges facing the city to critique Democratic leadership. State GOP chairwoman Jessica Millan Patterson pointed out prevalent issues of crime, homelessness, and business closures, questioning what a Harris presidency might entail.

Despite California’s strong Democratic leanings, its wealth of donors makes it a pivotal fundraising ground for candidates from both parties. The GOP’s vice presidential nominee, Sen. JD Vance from Ohio, recently participated in fundraisers within the state.

In the coming days, Walz is slated to speak at an AFSCME convention in Los Angeles and participate in further fundraising activities. Prominent supporter Susie Tompkins Buell, who has known Harris for decades, remarked on the thriving energy among Democrats, attributing it to Harris’s candidacy and the perceived threats posed by Trump’s potential re-election.

“Kamala’s youth and positive energy is like a fresh gust of a cool breeze on a sweltering, humid day. So refreshing and hopeful,” Buell shared, praising Harris’s consistency and confidence.

Source: Los Angeles Times