Kamala Harris Raises Nearly $47 Million in Just Seven Hours for Presidential Bid

U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris has achieved an astounding fundraising milestone, amassing nearly $47 million in just seven hours following her endorsement by President Joe Biden as his potential successor in the upcoming November elections.

This significant financial backing was funneled through ActBlue, a leading donation platform for the Democratic Party. The majority of these contributions came from small donors, reflecting a growing enthusiasm among the Democratic base after Biden's withdrawal.

"By 9:00 p.m. ET on Sunday, grassroots supporters had raised $46.7 million through ActBlue following the launch of Vice President Kamala Harris's campaign," a statement on X revealed. ActBlue also noted that this Sunday marked the highest fundraising day of the 2024 election cycle.

"Small donors are excited and ready to tackle these elections," added the platform. The surge in fundraising not only benefits Harris's campaign but also other Democratic candidates and groups, showing a level of enthusiasm that ActBlue described as "unprecedented in this cycle."

In the first five hours of Harris's campaign, ActBlue had already accumulated more than $27.5 million in donations. A notable example is David Hogg, a gun control activist and survivor of the 2018 mass shooting in Parkland, Florida, who launched a social media challenge to quickly raise funds for the new presidential candidate. His call to action raised $250,000 within a few hours.

The decision by President Biden not to seek re-election came after weeks of calls from Democrats urging him to step aside, especially following a disastrous debate performance against former Republican President Donald Trump. Ultimately, Biden and his campaign team heeded these calls, deciding to step down last Sunday.

Since Biden's announcement, numerous Democrats have expressed their support for Kamala Harris as the party's likely candidate for the November elections. Harris has confirmed that she will run, solidifying her position as one of the most prominent figures in the Democratic Party in the current election cycle.

Support from Delegates and Political Figures

Less than 24 hours after Biden exited the presidential race and endorsed Harris, the Vice President has garnered the support of more than 531 delegates out of the 1,986 needed to secure the nomination, according to a count by The Hill. These delegates have confirmed their vote for Harris at the Democratic National Convention, which will be held in Chicago from August 19 to 22.

Numerous political figures within the party have also shown their support for Harris. According to the Washington Post, out of the 263 Democratic senators and legislators and 23 governors, a total of 179 have endorsed Harris, while 107 have yet to do so. Former President Barack Obama called on the Democratic Party to nominate an "extraordinary candidate" for the November elections, although he stopped short of directly endorsing Harris.

Other Democratic leaders, such as Hakeem Jeffries, Chuck Schumer, and Nancy Pelosi, also refrained from mentioning Harris in their reactions to Biden's decision. Jaime Harrison, Chair of the Democratic National Committee, promised that the party would adhere to "established norms and procedures" to conduct a "transparent and orderly" process.

Kamala Harris, for her part, thanked Biden for his support and confirmed her intention to seek the nomination at the Democratic National Convention. The financial and political backing Harris has received following Joe Biden's announcement has been overwhelming. The Vice President now faces the challenge of consolidating these supports as she heads towards the Democratic nomination and the November elections.