Kamala Harris Campaign Raises $361 Million in August, Outpacing Trump - What This Means for the Election
By Trevor Hunnicutt
In a major fundraising win, Kamala Harris's presidential campaign and the Democratic Party brought in a whopping $361 million in August, giving her a significant cash advantage over her Republican rival Donald Trump as the race heats up in the final two months before Election Day.
With a total of $404 million in cash on hand at the beginning of September, Harris is well-positioned to make a strong push in the upcoming election. On the other hand, Trump's campaign team reported raising $130 million in August, leaving them with $295 million in cash by the end of the month.
Both candidates are expected to spend over $1 billion in this campaign, setting new records in political spending. The funds will be used for advertising, as well as building get-out-the-vote operations in key battleground states that will play a crucial role in determining the outcome of the election.
The fundraising numbers, which are closely monitored by U.S. election regulators, serve as indicators of momentum leading up to the highly contested Nov. 5 election. It is important to note that these figures do not include contributions from outside groups supporting each candidate.
One of the key moments in the campaign will be the televised debate between Harris and Trump on Tuesday, the first since President Joe Biden withdrew from the race and endorsed Harris as his successor in July. Harris's candidacy has energized Democrats and attracted a surge of support in opinion polls.
A notable trend in Harris's fundraising efforts is the influx of new donors, with three-quarters of the 1.3 million new donors in August not having contributed in the previous presidential election in 2020. Additionally, more than 60% of donors in August were women, and nearly 20% were registered Republicans or independents.
Despite Harris's momentum, polling averages indicate a tight race in battleground states like Pennsylvania, Michigan, and Georgia, which will play a crucial role in determining the election outcome.
In conclusion, Harris's significant fundraising advantage over Trump could give her campaign a boost in the final stretch leading up to Election Day. The influx of new donors and broad support across party lines highlight the growing momentum behind her candidacy. As the race intensifies, all eyes will be on the upcoming debates and campaign strategies of both candidates as they vie for the presidency.