With less than 100 days remaining until the 2024 US Presidential elections, the political landscape is heating up. In the latest development, Vice President Kamala Harris’ presidential campaign announced a remarkable fundraising feat, having secured a whopping $310 million in donations during July. This figure significantly outpaces the $138.7 million raised by her Republican opponent, Donald Trump, in the same month. The strong fundraising performance reflects the growing support for Harris’ candidacy, particularly among grassroots supporters and first-time donors.
In a statement, Harris’ campaign highlighted the impressive response to her candidacy, indicating that a majority of the $310 million was raised within the first week of her announcement. Notably, two-thirds of the July donations originated from individuals contributing for the first time to her campaign. Furthermore, 94% of the donations received were $200 or less, emphasizing the broad-based grassroots support. Harris’ campaign further reported entering August with a substantial cash reserve of $377 million, surpassing the $327 million announced by Trump’s team for the same period. This financial advantage positions Harris favorably as the election approaches.
While Trump’s fundraising for July was higher than June, at $111.8 million, Harris’ campaign manager, Julie Chavez Rodriguez, emphasized the positive momentum behind Harris’ candidacy. “The tremendous outpouring of support we’ve seen in just a short time makes clear the Harris coalition is mobilized, growing, and ready to put in the work to defeat Trump this November,” Rodriguez stated, highlighting the campaign’s determination to secure victory in the upcoming election. The campaign’s financial strategy emphasizes grassroots engagement and targeted spending to effectively navigate a close contest.
Harris’ ascendency to the Democratic presidential nomination followed President Joe Biden’s announcement that he would not seek reelection. Her immediate endorsements from key party figures, coupled with securing enough delegate endorsements to secure the nomination, showcased her swift and decisive approach. The month of July was expected to be a challenging period for Democrats due to concerns surrounding Biden’s candidacy. However, Harris’ emergence as the party’s nominee revitalized both voters and donors.
Trump’s fundraising efforts received a boost in July from several factors. An assassination attempt against the former president during a rally in Pennsylvania galvanized some of his most ardent supporters. Additionally, the unveiling of his running mate, Ohio Senator JD Vance, at the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee contributed to the fundraising surge. Harris’ team is anticipating a similar boost in the coming week as she is expected to announce her own running mate. The Democratic National Convention, scheduled to commence in Chicago on August 19, is anticipated to provide further momentum to the campaign.
