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Kamala Harris raises eye-popping amount of donations in 24 hours from Democrats pleased Biden has finally decided to drop out

4 months ago 16

By Sarah Ewall-Wice, Senior U.S. Political Reporter

Published: 21:24 BST, 22 July 2024 | Updated: 21:57 BST, 22 July 2024

Kamala Harris' presidential campaign announced it raised a whopping $81 million in its first 24 hours after President Biden dropped out of the presidential race and endorsed the vice president for the Democratic presidential nomination.

The flood of donations is the largest 24-hour cash haul of any presidential campaign in U.S. history. It includes money raised by the campaign, Democratic National Committee and joint-fundraising committee.

More than 888,000 donors contributed in the past 24 hours including 60 percent who were first-time donors in the 2024 cycle, according to the campaign. The campaign also said it added 43,00 new recurring donors.

It comes as a growing number of prominent Democrats have moved to backed Harris for the Democratic nomination after the colossal shake up in the presidential race just over 100 days before the November election

Vice President Kamala Harris' campaign announced it raised $81 million in the 24 hours after launching on Sunday after President Biden dropped out of the race and endorsed her for president

'The historic outpouring of support for Vice President Harris represents exactly the kind of grassroots energy and enthusiasm that wins elections,' said spokesperson Kevin Munoz. 

'Already, we are seeing a broad and diverse coalition come together to support our critical work of talking to the voters that will decide this election. There is a groundswell behind Kamala Harris, and Donald Trump is terrified because he knows his divisive, unpopular agenda can’t stand up to the Vice President’s record and vision for the American people,' he added.

The massive cash haul adds to the war chest Harris inherited upon Biden's exit. His campaign announced it had $240 million cash on hand at the end of last month.  

Some state Democratic parties have also said they have seen an uptick in donations after President Biden stepped aside and made the endorsement.

It has been a whirlwind start to the week for Democrats that kicked off Sunday afternoon when Biden said in a letter he would be leaving the race after weeks of concerns over his ability to serve a second term. 

In the hours after Biden's exit, fundraising through the online platform used by Democrats, ActBlue, immediately saw a flood of activity. 

Harris standing on the South Lawn of the White House on July 22 where she was delivering remarks at an event celebrating the National Collegiate Athletic Association championship teams. It marked her first public remarks since Biden exited the 2024 presidential race

DailyMail.com also learned some mega-donors immediately started reaching out wanting to get involved in raising money after Harris declared she was running for president as the political season jolts into high gear.

The shake-up has reenergized Democrats who were not enthusiastic about a rematch between Biden and Trump. Harris likely being at the top of the ticket has also galvanized black women, a critical voting bloc for Democrats. 

A call hosted by Win with Black Women raised approximately $1.6 million in contributions Sunday night. More than 40,000 women attended the Zoom meeting.

Harris has already started taking over the Biden campaign infrastructure. She spent Sunday afternoon making calls to key Democrats whose backing she would need to lock in the nomination. 

A number of prominent Democrats including governors, lawmakers and party officials immediately started endorsing Harris for the nomination on Sunday.

On Monday afternoon, she received the full endorsement of Democratic heavyweight and fellow Californian Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi. 

While some Democrats have called for a contested convention, no Democrat has stepped up to challenge the vice president for the nomination and a number of state delegations have already pledged to support her at the Democratic National Convention next month in Chicago. 

Vice President Harris boarding Air Force Two on July 22. She was heading to Wilmington, DE to meet with campaign staff for the first time since Biden exited the presidential race at what was previously Biden campaign headquarters

The vice president made her first public remarks after Biden exited the race on Monday where she praised the 81-year-old during an event for National Collegiate Athletic Association championship teams from the 2023-2024 season at the White House.

Biden was supposed to headline the long-scheduled event but the duties passed to Harris when he tested positive for COVID.

'He is feeling much better and recovering fast. He looks forward to getting back on the road,' Harris said giving an update on the president.

'In one term, he has already surpassed the legacy of most presidents who have served two terms in office,' Harris added.

From Washington, Harris headed over to Wilmington, Delaware to meet with campaign staff as she takes over the Biden campaign's social media, email lists and massive fundraising machine. 

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