Harris Shatters Records: $200M Raised, 170,000 Volunteers in Just One Week of White House Campaign

WASHINGTON — Vice President Kamala Harris’ campaign has seen a remarkable surge, raising $200 million since becoming the likely Democratic presidential nominee last week, contending against Republican nominee, former President Donald Trump.

The campaign disclosed on Sunday that 66% of these donations are from first-time contributors in the 2024 election cycle. This boost followed President Joe Biden’s exit and endorsement of Harris. The campaign’s volunteers number over 170,000, dedicated to phone banking, canvassing, and other voter engagement efforts. Election Day is now just 100 days away.

Michael Tyler, the campaign’s communications director, noted the significant grassroots support, stating, “The momentum and energy for Vice President Harris is real.” He emphasized that the race would be tight and ultimately decided by a small number of voters in key states.

At a fundraiser in Pittsfield, Massachusetts, originally planned for Biden, Harris drew hundreds of attendees, raising $1.4 million—surpassing its $400,000 target. Key Democratic leaders such as Nancy Pelosi, Chuck Schumer, Hakeem Jeffries, Jim Clyburn, Bill Clinton, and Hillary Clinton quickly rallied behind Harris upon Biden’s exit. Barack and Michelle Obama also announced their endorsement on Friday.

Despite acknowledging her underdog status, Harris expressed confidence at the fundraiser, indicating that her campaign was gaining momentum.

Meanwhile, Trump and his allies, including running mate Sen. JD Vance, intensified their critique of Harris. In a campaign appearance in Minnesota, Trump labeled Harris a “crazy liberal” and a radical on abortion. Vance predicted that any initial bump in Harris’ support would soon fade, branding her a San Francisco liberal seeking to impose city policies nationwide. Similar sentiments were echoed by Sen. Lindsey Graham and Sen. Tom Cotton, who criticized Harris for her perceived extreme liberalism and blamed her for controversial decisions during the Biden administration.

The narrative around Harris also touched on her approach to international conflicts. In a recent meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Vice President Harris advocated for a cease-fire with Hamas to facilitate the return of hostages, while affirming Israel’s right to self-defense amid rising tensions in the Mideast. Sen. Cotton argued that this stance emboldened Iranian proxies like Hezbollah, exacerbating regional instability.

Following an incident where a rocket from Lebanon killed 12 children and teenagers in the Israeli-controlled Golan Heights, Trump and Vance argued that the Biden-Harris administration’s foreign policy was ineffective. Republican leaders expressed mixed feelings about the campaign strategies employed; while Gov. Chris Sununu of New Hampshire recognized that personal attacks against Harris would not be effective, he urged Trump and Vance to concentrate on substantive issues rather than insults.

Sununu advocated for a strategic recalibration, suggesting that Trump’s recent focus on personal attacks might not resonate with voters. He emphasized the importance of addressing policy issues to regain campaign momentum heading into the final stretch before Election Day. Although confident, Sununu acknowledged the challenge in persuading Trump to shift his approach but hoped electoral pressures would steer him in the right direction.