Democratic presidential nominee and U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris made a powerful appearance on Day 4 of the Democratic National Convention (DNC) at the United Center in Chicago, Illinois on August 22, 2024. The Harris campaign shared exciting news on Sunday that they, along with their allies, raised an impressive $40 million following Vice President Harris’ impactful speech at the DNC. This recent financial boost brings the total amount of funds raised for Harris’ election efforts to an impressive $540 million since President Joe Biden exited the race on July 21 and endorsed his vice president, according to the campaign. The next round of Federal Election Commission data is not expected until September 20, so NBC News cannot independently verify these numbers at this time.
The Harris campaign reported that a significant portion of last week’s donations came from first-time contributors, indicating a growing base of support for the Vice President. Campaign chair Jen O’Malley Dillon shared in a memo that immediately after Harris delivered her Thursday night speech, the campaign and its allies experienced “our best fundraising hour since launch day.” This surge in financial support reflects the enthusiasm and momentum behind Harris’ candidacy.
O’Malley Dillon emphasized that the fundraising numbers encompass contributions from the Harris campaign, the Democratic National Committee, and joint fundraising committees. She described the DNC as a “galvanizing moment” and underscored the campaign’s commitment to engage with battleground voters consistently leading up to Election Day. In contrast, she critiqued President Trump’s focus on divisive tactics rather than meaningful engagement with voters critical to securing the 270 electoral votes needed for victory.
Volunteers backing Harris’ election bid have shown remarkable dedication, with nearly 200,000 shifts signed up for since Monday. O’Malley Dillon highlighted this as their “biggest week of organizing since the start of the campaign,” indicating a groundswell of grassroots support. The campaign’s emphasis on voter outreach and mobilization underscores their strategic approach to building a broad coalition of supporters.
As Harris and her running mate, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, gear up for a bus tour in Georgia, the campaign continues to emphasize the importance of grassroots organizing and voter engagement. Despite facing challenges such as Tropical Storm Debby forcing the cancellation of a planned visit earlier in the month, Harris remains focused on connecting with voters across the country. The upcoming rally in Savannah serves as an opportunity to energize supporters and communicate the campaign’s vision for a brighter future.
Throughout the Democratic National Convention, speakers emphasized the urgency of getting involved in Harris’ election effort. Former first lady Michelle Obama delivered a stirring speech urging voters to stay engaged and committed to the cause. Similarly, President Biden called on supporters to dedicate their whole hearts to the campaign, emphasizing the collective effort needed to secure victory in November. The sense of unity and purpose among Democratic leaders underscores the importance of grassroots participation in shaping the future of the country.
Campaign finance reports from the previous month revealed the substantial financial support behind the Democratic presidential campaign. With Biden at the helm until his endorsement of Harris on July 21, the campaign raised an impressive $204 million in July alone. Following Biden’s exit from the race, ActBlue data indicated that Harris’ election bid received nearly $40 million in donations, highlighting the swift mobilization of support behind the Vice President’s candidacy.
In comparison, former President Donald Trump’s campaign experienced a strong fundraising month in July but fell short of his opponent’s financial haul. Despite raising $47.5 million in July, Trump’s campaign still lagged behind Harris in terms of fundraising. The financial disparity between the two campaigns underscores the robust support behind Harris’ candidacy and the growing momentum of the Democratic Party heading into the general election.
As the campaign progresses, the focus remains on engaging with voters, building a broad coalition of support, and mobilizing grassroots activists to drive momentum leading up to Election Day. Harris’ commitment to connecting with voters across the country and communicating a positive vision for the future underscores the campaign’s strategic approach to winning the presidency. With the support of dedicated volunteers, enthusiastic donors, and a strong message of unity and progress, the Harris campaign is poised to make a significant impact in the upcoming election.
