Kamala Harris's presidential campaign has reported a remarkable fundraising achievement, raising $200 million and signing up 170,000 new volunteers within a week of her becoming the Democratic Party's presidential candidate. This surge comes as Republicans intensify their criticisms of Harris's tenure as vice president.
President Joe Biden ended his reelection bid last Sunday, endorsing Harris for the upcoming November election against former President Donald Trump. "In the week since we got started, @KamalaHarris has raised $200 million dollars. 66% of that is from new donors. We've signed up 170,000 new volunteers," Rob Flaherty, Harris's deputy campaign manager, announced on X.
Recent polls, including one by Reuters/Ipsos, indicate a tight race between Harris and Trump, setting the stage for a closely contested election with just 100 days remaining. Trump's campaign, which raised $331 million in the second quarter, reported having $284.9 million in cash on hand at the end of June, compared to the Democratic campaign's $240 million.
Harris has garnered the support of the majority of delegates to the Democratic National Convention, ensuring her nomination as the party's presidential candidate. "Our vice president is the presumptive nominee. We will have the official vote on August 1," Democratic National Committee Chair Jaime Harrison told MSNBC.
Biden's withdrawal followed questions about his age and health after a poor debate performance against Trump in late June. He pledged to serve out his term until January 20, 2025. Harris's entry into the race has revitalized a campaign that struggled with doubts about Biden's ability to defeat Trump or continue to govern effectively.
Polls had shown Trump leading Biden, especially in battleground states, after Biden's debate debacle. However, Harris's candidacy has shifted the dynamics. A New York Times/Siena College poll published Thursday showed Harris narrowing what had been a significant lead for Trump, while a Wall Street Journal poll found Trump ahead by two percentage points. A Reuters/Ipsos poll published on July 23 indicated a two-point lead for Harris.
Republican attacks on Harris, the first woman and the first Black and South Asian person to serve as U.S. vice president, have intensified since she became the likely Democratic nominee. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, who endorsed Trump after his own unsuccessful bid for the Republican nomination, called Harris "incredibly vapid" on Fox News and predicted Democrats would "whitewash" her background to distance her from the Biden administration's policies.
DeSantis's comments have sparked concern among some Trump allies, particularly members of the "Black Americans for Trump" coalition, who warn that disparaging Harris could alienate Black voters, a crucial demographic in the upcoming election. Harris's campaign did not immediately respond to DeSantis's remarks.
Mitch Landrieu, a campaign co-chair, described Harris's first week as a candidate as one of the best in politics over the past 50 years. "This is going to be a very close race," he told MSNBC.
Trump's fundraising received a boost following his conviction on felony charges related to a hush-money payment to a porn star ahead of the 2016 election. An assassination attempt against Trump earlier this month is also expected to spur campaign contributions.
In contrast, Harris's campaign held approximately 2,300 organizing events in battleground states over the weekend, with high-profile Democrats under consideration as her running mate stumping for her. At a fundraiser in Pittsfield, Massachusetts, Harris drew hundreds of supporters, raising about $1.4 million, significantly more than the originally expected $400,000.
Mandy Robbins, 45, of Decatur, Georgia, attended an organizing event in Atlanta and expressed renewed hope with Harris's candidacy. "I finally feel hopeful now," Robbins said. "We can win this with Harris."
Trump and his running mate, Sen. JD Vance, have stepped up efforts to frame Harris as a far-left politician. Vance predicted that Harris's initial bump in popularity would soon fade. "The people are going to learn her record," Vance said. "They're going to learn that she's a radical."
Harris's focus on abortion rights and other key issues for young voters has energized her campaign. Despite the criticisms, Harris's entrance into the race has given the Democrats a much-needed boost, with a coalition of 17 youth-led groups uniting behind her. The campaign's success in raising funds and volunteers demonstrates significant grassroots support, indicating a potentially transformative impact on the election's outcome.
Trump, while continuing his attacks, may need to recalibrate his strategy in response to Harris's rising momentum. Governor Chris Sununu of New Hampshire suggested that personal attacks on Harris would not drive voters and urged Trump to focus on the issues.
