Vice President Kamala Harris’ campaign has seen a remarkable start, raising an impressive $200 million in the first week since she became the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee. This fundraising feat highlights the significant support she has garnered in her race against the Republican nominee, former President Donald Trump. The campaign announced this record-breaking total on Sunday, noting that 66% of the donations came from first-time contributors in the 2024 election cycle. This surge of financial support followed President Joe Biden’s exit from the race and his endorsement of Harris.
In addition to the financial contributions, over 170,000 volunteers have signed up to assist the Kamala Harris campaign with various activities such as phone banking, canvassing, and other get-out-the-vote efforts. With Election Day just 100 days away, the campaign is building momentum. Michael Tyler, the campaign’s communications director, emphasized the importance of this grassroots support in a memo, stating, “The momentum and energy for Vice President Harris are real — and so are the fundamentals of this race: this election will be very close and decided by a small number of voters in just a few states.”
Grassroots Efforts and High-Profile Support
Over the weekend, the Harris campaign organized approximately 2,300 events in battleground states, showcasing the campaign’s robust grassroots efforts. Several high-profile Democrats, who are being considered as potential running mates for Harris, were actively campaigning on her behalf. In Pittsfield, Massachusetts, Harris drew hundreds to a fundraiser initially organized when Biden was still the leading candidate. This event, which was expected to raise $400,000, ended up bringing in about $1.4 million.
One notable event took place in the northern suburbs of Atlanta, where Mandy Robbins, a 45-year-old from Decatur, Georgia, attended to hear Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear speak. Beshear, a potential running mate, shared his own electoral experiences, stressing the importance of every volunteer’s effort. He recalled his 2019 campaign, which he won by a narrow margin, highlighting that every action, from door knocking to phone calls, played a crucial role in his victory. Beshear’s message resonated with supporters, including Robbins, who expressed newfound optimism with Harris as the candidate, stating, “I finally feel hopeful now. We can win this with Harris.”
Republican Response and Strategic Shifts
While Kamala Harris’s campaign is gaining traction, the Republican camp, led by Trump and his running mate Senator JD Vance, has intensified efforts to frame Harris as a far-left politician disconnected from mainstream American values. Vance, after a stop at a diner in Waite Park, Minnesota, on Sunday, acknowledged Kamala Harris’s initial boost but predicted it would soon wane as voters learned more about her record. Echoing Trump’s sentiments, Vance labeled Harris a “radical,” citing her progressive stances and accusing her of pushing “San Francisco policies” nationwide.
In response to these attacks, some Republicans have urged a strategic shift. Governor Chris Sununu of New Hampshire suggested that the personal attacks on Harris might backfire, recommending that Trump and Vance focus on policy issues instead. Sununu pointed out that Kamala Harris’s current popularity might be temporary, a “honeymoon” period, but emphasized the need for the Republican campaign to recalibrate and avoid personal insults. He remarked, “Hopefully the numbers, the polls, will get Donald Trump to realize what was working and what didn’t.”
As the campaign season progresses, both parties are gearing up for what promises to be a fiercely contested election, with Harris’s campaign building on early successes and the Republicans strategizing to counter her momentum.
A Historic Milestone for Kamala Harris
As the first Black woman and first Asian American to serve as vice president, Kamala Harris’s candidacy marks a historic milestone. Her campaign reported raising the first $100 million (£78 million) within just 36 hours following Biden’s withdrawal announcement. This rapid influx of donations has re-energized the Democratic campaign, which had previously struggled amid concerns about Biden’s viability against Trump and his capability to govern effectively if re-elected.
A series of recent polls show that Kamala Harris’s entry into the race has swiftly erased Trump’s lead over Biden, transforming the electoral landscape in a matter of days. Mitch Landrieu, a campaign co-chair, praised Harris’s impact, telling MSNBC, “Harris had one of the best weeks that we’ve seen in politics in the last 50 years.” The swift turnaround in polling numbers underscores the renewed vigor and optimism within the Democratic Party as they gear up for the challenging race ahead.
