Kamala Harris Surpasses Donald Trump in July Fundraising with Record $310 Million Haul
News Mania Desk/Agnibeena Ghosh/3rd August 2024
In a significant show of financial support, Vice President Kamala Harris outpaced former President Donald Trump in July fundraising, amassing a record-breaking $310 million (£242 million) in donations. This impressive sum overshadowed Trump’s $138.7 million (£108 million) raised in the same month, a period marked by his narrow escape from an assassination attempt and the announcement of JD Vance as his running mate.
Kamala Harris, who secured the Democratic nomination last Friday, now enters August with a formidable $377 million war chest. Her campaign boasts this as the highest amount any presidential candidate has ever accumulated at this stage in the election cycle, surpassing the $327 million Trump’s team reported having on hand.
In a campaign email sent to supporters on Friday, Harris expressed her gratitude and excitement, noting that the 12 days since Joe Biden stepped down and she announced her candidacy had been “incredibly inspiring.” Reflecting on the vast donation haul, she stated, “The enthusiasm is real, the momentum is shifting, and Donald Trump is feeling the heat.”
Vice President Harris has now secured enough delegates to officially become the Democratic Party’s nominee, as confirmed by the Democratic National Committee on Friday. This historic achievement positions Harris to become the first Black woman and person of South Asian heritage to top a major political ticket for president.
Jaime Harrison, the party chair, announced that Harris’s nomination would be formalized following the party’s virtual roll call vote concluding on Monday. He made this announcement during an online meeting with supporters while delegates continued voting in a virtual process designed to officially name the Democratic nominee ahead of the party’s convention later this month.
During the meeting, Harris phoned in to express her honor at being the presumptive Democratic nominee and her anticipation for the upcoming convention in Chicago on August 19. “Later this month, we will gather in Chicago, united as one party, where we’re going to have an opportunity to celebrate this historic moment together,” she said.
The announcement caps a turbulent five weeks for the Democrats, who had launched a public and private campaign to persuade President Biden to withdraw from his re-election bid following his lackluster debate performance against former President Trump in June.
The significant financial backing for Harris’s campaign reflects a broader shift in momentum and enthusiasm among Democratic supporters. Her fundraising success not only demonstrates robust support but also positions her campaign strongly as the election cycle progresses.
As the political landscape continues to evolve, Harris’s historic candidacy and the substantial financial support she has garnered highlight the dynamic nature of the upcoming election. The Democratic Party’s unity and the record-breaking fundraising efforts underscore the significance of this moment in American political history.
With the convention on the horizon and the formal nomination process nearing completion, all eyes will be on Harris as she prepares to take on Donald Trump in the presidential race. The unprecedented financial support and the historic nature of her candidacy set the stage for a compelling and closely watched election season.
