As the U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris continues her election efforts, sources have revealed that her campaign has raised an astounding $500 million since she joined the race, signaling a remarkable show of support from donors leading up to the Nov. 5 election.
According to four sources familiar with the fundraising efforts, this impressive sum was accumulated in just four weeks following Harris' entry into the presidential race on July 21.
Campaign funds play a crucial role in financing advertising and voter mobilization initiatives that are instrumental in driving voter turnout and swaying undecided voters towards a candidate.
Harris stepped into the spotlight after President Joe Biden withdrew from the Democratic ticket, leading to a surge in funding that had waned following Biden's lackluster debate performance against Republican Donald Trump.
Within the first week of her campaign, Harris raised an impressive $200 million, swiftly garnering support to secure the party's nomination.
In July alone, Harris' team raised a staggering $310 million, bringing the combined total raised by her and Biden before his withdrawal to over $1 billion, marking the fastest accumulation of funds in history, as reported by the campaign.
On the other hand, Trump's campaign disclosed raising $138.7 million in July with a cash reserve of $327 million, surpassing Biden's fundraising in the second quarter.
The momentum for Harris, evident from her $377 million cash on hand in July, has continued into August, supported by contributions from grassroots donors and the significant turnout at her rallies in key swing states.
During the 2020 election cycle, Biden's campaign committee raised $1.04 billion or $1.62 billion when combined with external groups, as per OpenSecrets, an organization monitoring money in politics.
At the Democratic National Convention in Chicago, Harris praised Biden on the opening night, emphasizing his achievements and rallying support for their ticket alongside Minnesota Governor Tim Walz for the upcoming election.
Former President Barack Obama, a prominent fundraiser, is scheduled to address the convention on Tuesday evening, while Harris engages with voters in Wisconsin.
Obama has participated in two high-profile fundraisers with Biden and has expressed willingness to provide further assistance to Harris.
Despite her impressive fundraising success, Harris continues to position herself as an underdog in the race against Trump, aiming to avoid complacency among her supporters and donors.
Analysis: Kamala Harris' remarkable fundraising achievements, totaling $500 million in just four weeks, showcase the unprecedented level of donor enthusiasm surrounding her campaign. This influx of funds not only highlights the significant financial support she has garnered but also underscores the momentum she has built going into the upcoming election. The substantial financial backing she has received can potentially bolster her advertising efforts, voter outreach initiatives, and overall campaign strategy, ultimately influencing the outcome of the election and shaping the political landscape. As voters and donors closely follow Harris' progress, her fundraising success serves as a key indicator of her campaign's strength and viability in the race against her opponents.