Exclusive: Harris' election effort raises around $500 million in a month. The Stars are Aligning

Friends,

It's hard not to be excited, if not overjoyed about the Harris Walz ticket. I'm somewhat disappointed and concerned that Texas is not a focus of the campaign for electoral votes. This, too, shall change at some point soon. Due to changing demographics, it's inevitable. When this happens is the question.

If you're in Texas, let's do everything possible to eliminate Sen. Ted Cruz and support Congressman Colin Allred for Cruz' Congressional Senate seat. These out-of-touch Republicans who want to take us back to the Dark Ages with Project 2025 have got to go. If we can vote Cruz out, I believe the whole dehumanizing edifice of white supremacy and opposition to Civil Rights that the Republicans have built, will start to crumble.

The main reason I'm sharing this is that money and fundraising reflect voter enthusiasm. I so appreciate the tone of the convention. Many are talking about the importance of getting the toxicity out of politics. We can agree to disagree and be respectful in the process. These are the kinds of soft skills that are essential to a democracy. I'm down with that.

I see Gen Z's fingerprints all over this still-emergent Harris Walz ticket. Tik-Tok I hear is on fire this election cycle. Let's remember that Gen Z, according to John Della Volpe, represents at least 2/3rds of the electorate. Gen Z, and especially Gen Z females and trans youth and allies, in particular, will be responsible for those narrow margins across the nation, impacting down-ballot races. I do think there will be a lot of surprises. And for the better. The country is changing. Change is a fact of life. Let's embrace it and make a better, more loving, and joyous, world.

Future President Kamala Harris—I and so many others predict—will address the Democratic National Convention this evening.  What's super cool is that today also marks her 10-year anniversary with Doug Emhoff. How did they pull that off? Or maybe it's just the stars aligning. 🤩

This evening, Harris will formally accept her nomination from the DNC. Not to be missed.

-Angela Valenzuela

 

Exclusive: Harris' election effort raises around $500 million in a month, sources say

By Jeff Mason and Nandita Bose

August 20, 202411:36 PM CDTUpdated 2 days ago

Item 1 of 2 Democratic presidential candidate and U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris applauds as U.S. President Joe Biden speaks during Day one of the Democratic National Convention (DNC) in Chicago, Illinois, U.S., August 19, 2024. REUTERS/Mike Segar

[1/2]Democratic presidential candidate and U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris applauds as U.S. President Joe Biden speaks during Day one of the Democratic National Convention (DNC) in Chicago, Illinois, U.S., August 19, 2024. REUTERS/Mike Segar Purchase Licensing Rights, opens new tab

CHICAGO, Aug 20 (Reuters) - U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris' election effort has raised around $500 million since she became the Democratic presidential candidate, sources told Reuters, an unprecedented money haul that reflects donor enthusiasm going into the Nov. 5 election.

Four sources familiar with the fundraising effort told Reuters that figure had been banked for Harris in the four weeks since she jumped into the race on July 21. Campaign cash is critical for advertising and get-out-the-vote efforts that help bring people to the polls and persuade undecided voters to swing a candidate's way.

Harris entered the fray after President Joe Biden stepped aside from the top of the Democratic ticket, unleashing floods of funding that had dried up in the weeks after Biden's disastrous debate against Republican Donald Trump.

Harris raised $200 million in the first week of her campaign while she quickly wrapped up support to become the party's nominee.

Harris' team raised $310 million in July, bringing the total amount of money raised by her and Biden before he dropped out to more than $1 billion, the most rapid crossing of that fundraising threshold in history, according to the campaign.

Trump's campaign said it raised $138.7 million in July and had cash on hand of $327 million. The former president's campaign outraised Biden in the second quarter.

Trump's campaign said it raised $138.7 million in July and had cash on hand of $327 million. The former president's campaign outraised Biden in the second quarteEnthusiasm for Harris, whose July cash on hand came in at $377 million, has continued into August, manifested by donations from small-dollar donors as thousands of people show up to her rallies in political swing states across the country.

Biden's campaign committee raised $1.04 billion in the 2020 election cycle or $1.62 billion when combined with outside groups, according to OpenSecrets, a group that tracks money in politics.

Harris lauded Biden on Monday on the first night of the Democratic National Convention in Chicago, where the president, in his own remarks, touted his record and urged voters to back Harris and her running mate, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, in November.

Former President Barack Obama, who is also a big fundraising draw, addresses the convention on Tuesday night, while Harris rallies voters in nearby Wisconsin.

Obama attended two high-profile fundraisers with Biden and has offered to help Harris with more.

Harris has repeatedly called herself an underdog in the race against Trump, in the hopes of preventing complacency among her voting and donor base.

The Reuters Daily Briefing newsletter provides all the news you need to start your day. Sign up here.


Reporting by Jeff Mason and Nandita Bose; Editing by Howard Goller