Innovation

Democrats Rally Behind Vice President Kamala Harris

Democrats united behind Vice President Kamala Harris as the party’s front-runner for the presidential nomination Monday, and their excitement translated into a juggernaut day of fundraising for the party and for Harris’ campaign. Harris has emerged as the clear choice for the Democratic nomination, with a surge in support that is reflected in both endorsements and financial contributions.

Endorsements from Pledged Delegates

Late Monday night, NBC News projected that Harris had won endorsements from a majority of the Democratic party’s pledged convention delegates. The threshold is 1,976 delegates, and NBC estimates that Harris has the spoken or written backing of 1,992 delegates. This solidifies her position as the front-runner, with a significant lead over any potential competitors. While not yet formally the party’s presumptive nominee, Harris’ position as frontrunner is rock solid, and no potential challengers have signaled they intend to vie for the nomination. This level of endorsement highlights the strong support within the party for Harris and sets a firm foundation for her campaign.

Record-Breaking Fundraising Day

In the hours since President Joe Biden announced that he would end his teetering reelection campaign, Harris and the Democratic party have pulled in roughly $250 million in online donations and major donor commitments. This unprecedented fundraising effort underscores the enthusiasm and momentum behind Harris. The Democratic fundraising platform ActBlue has processed $106 million in contributions to Democratic candidates since Biden dropped out, according to an automated tracker. This rapid influx of funds demonstrates the widespread support for Harris and the urgency felt by her supporters to ensure her campaign's success.

Allocation of Funds

It is not clear yet how much of this money was given to House and Senate campaigns and how much went to the former Biden campaign, rebranded overnight as the Harris for President campaign. In addition to the online donations, a super political action committee that supports the Biden-Harris ticket announced that over the past 24 hours, major donors have made contribution commitments totaling $150 million to the Harris election effort. These substantial pledges indicate a high level of confidence in Harris' candidacy and a commitment to securing her nomination and eventual election.

Major Donor Contributions

The pledges to Future Forward were described to NBC News as coming from donors who had been sitting on the sidelines for the past month, amid concerns about Biden as the nominee. The pledged donations to Future Forward are just that, however: promises. Until the PAC files mandatory federal campaign finance reports, these numbers cannot be verified. Nonetheless, the commitment from these major donors is a significant boost to Harris' campaign, providing the necessary resources to compete effectively.

Energizing the Democratic Base

The historic fundraising numbers are energizing Democrats and breathing new life into their bid to defeat former President Donald Trump and his Republican running mate, Sen. JD Vance of Ohio. Since Sunday, more than 888,000 small-dollar donors have contributed to the Harris campaign, according to a memo late Monday. This grassroots support is crucial for building a broad-based coalition and ensuring sustained momentum throughout the campaign.

Impact on Potential Challengers

Harris’ momentum could be the reason that West Virginia Sen. Joe Manchin, who recently switched his political affiliation to Independent, dropped his suggestion that he was open to challenging Harris for the Democratic nomination. The overwhelming support for Harris has likely deterred other potential challengers, solidifying her position as the leading candidate for the Democratic nomination.

Republican Response

Republicans, meanwhile, are scrambling to retool a Trump campaign that was built to defeat Biden into one capable of defeating a very different candidate. Trump spent much of the morning attacking Biden, but shifted to attacking Harris in the afternoon. This shift in focus indicates the Republican Party's recognition of Harris as a formidable opponent and the need to adjust their strategy accordingly.

Conclusion

The Democratic Party’s unified support for Vice President Kamala Harris and the record-breaking fundraising day have solidified her position as the front-runner for the presidential nomination. With endorsements from a majority of pledged delegates and substantial financial contributions from both grassroots donors and major donors, Harris is well-positioned for a strong campaign. The energy and enthusiasm behind her candidacy are palpable, and her momentum continues to build as the Democratic Party rallies around her. As the campaign progresses, Harris’ leadership and the support she has garnered will be critical in the bid to defeat former President Donald Trump and his Republican running mate, Sen. JD Vance of Ohio.