How is Kamala raising this much? Something smells fishy.
In less than 80 days since taking the lead on the Democratic ticket, Vice President Kamala Harris has reportedly raised over $1 billion for her campaign and affiliated committees. This staggering sum surpasses the approximately $853 million that former President Donald Trump has raised for his 2024 efforts to date. Not only does this put Harris well ahead in the fundraising game, but it also outpaces the fundraising pace set by President Biden during his campaign.
Historically, candidates have reached the $1 billion mark, but the speed at which Harris has achieved this milestone is remarkable. For perspective, Biden’s campaign didn’t hit that threshold until August of this year, just after Harris took over the top spot and initiated a rebranding of their campaign strategy. Harris’s campaign proudly announced their rapid fundraising success, celebrating the milestone as the quickest in presidential campaign history.
Interestingly, the fundraising totals include contributions from her own campaign, joint committees, and the Democratic National Committee (DNC). However, while the Harris campaign has not yet disclosed its September figures, which are typically released ahead of the Federal Election Commission’s deadline, early indications suggest they’ve maintained a robust financial position.
In contrast, the Trump-Vance campaign reported an impressive $160 million raised in September alone, concluding the month with about $283 million available. Meanwhile, the Harris-Walz campaign raised $361 million in August, ending that month with $404 million on hand.
Despite these substantial financial advantages, there is a sense of caution among some Harris supporters. They worry that the impressive fundraising could foster complacency among campaign backers. A source expressed concern to The Washington Post, stating, “This type of big money doesn’t convey the sense of urgency we need. We are in a tight race, and it will come down to grinding it out in the end.”
The Harris campaign has consistently outspent Team Trump, leveraging a significant cash advantage. This led them to invest over $25 million into down-ballot races, aiming to strengthen Democratic positions across the board. Nevertheless, the 2024 presidential race remains closely contested. According to the latest RealClearPolitics aggregate, Harris holds a narrow 2.2 percentage point lead over Trump nationally, while Trump maintains an advantage in crucial battleground states.
The Democratic Party is understandably anxious, recalling how Trump consistently outperformed polls in the past two elections, despite some analysts suggesting Republicans underperformed in the 2022 midterms. As we approach the final stretch of the campaign, both sides know that effective strategy and voter engagement will be key to securing victory in this unpredictable election cycle.
