Vice President Kamala Harris' campaign announced on Sunday that it has raised an impressive $540 million since its launch. The campaign's momentum was particularly evident following Harris' address at the Democratic National Convention, which triggered the campaign's most successful fundraising hour to date.
According to a memo from campaign chair Jen O'Malley Dillon, the post-convention boost helped the campaign cross the $500 million mark, bringing the total raised to $540 million in just over a month. "Not only are our volunteers doing the work, but this week we saw unprecedented grassroots donations," Dillon wrote, highlighting the enthusiastic support Harris has garnered.
The fundraising numbers place Harris in a strong position as she heads into the final months of a critical campaign. Last month alone, her campaign brought in $204 million, a figure that dwarfs the $138.7 million raised by former President Donald Trump and his affiliated committees during the same period. Harris' campaign, along with the Democratic National Committee and joint fundraising committees, collectively raised $310 million in July, compared to Trump's $138.7 million.
The significance of these numbers extends beyond the sheer volume of funds. O'Malley Dillon noted that nearly one-third of the contributions during the convention week came from first-time donors. About one-fifth of these first-time contributors were young voters, a demographic that has shown stronger support for Harris than it did for President Biden during his campaign. This influx of new donors is seen as a critical indicator of the campaign's growing appeal, particularly among younger voters and women, who make up two-thirds of the first-time contributors.
The campaign's success is not only financial. Harris' team has also witnessed a surge in volunteer support, with nearly 200,000 volunteer shifts signed up during the convention week alone. This level of engagement underscores the widespread enthusiasm for Harris' candidacy and the potential for strong grassroots mobilization as the campaign progresses.
The vice president's campaign has positioned itself as a formidable opponent in the race, with a cash cushion that allows for aggressive campaigning in the crucial final stretch. As Harris continues to attract both financial and volunteer support, the campaign's strategy appears well-aligned with the broader Democratic Party's goals of energizing key constituencies.
The Harris-Walz ticket, featuring Minnesota Governor Tim Walz as her running mate, has also benefited from the surge in support. As the campaign moves forward, it will likely continue to leverage this momentum to build on its early successes and sustain its competitive edge against the Trump campaign.
While Trump remains a powerful fundraiser, Harris' ability to outpace him in such a short span of time has surprised many political observers. With $327 million in cash on hand at the start of August, Trump's campaign remains well-funded, but the gap in recent fundraising totals suggests a shift in momentum.
