Kamala Harris’ campaign receives record $81 million in donations as Joe Biden drops out of election race – Times of India

Democratic Party donors have contributed a record $81 million to Vice President Kamala Harris’s campaign in the 24 hours following Joe Biden’s decision to step down from the White House race and endorse her. This surge in support adds to the nearly quarter-of-a-billion dollar war chest Harris has already amassed this election cycle, with her campaign calling it the “largest 24-hour raise in presidential history.”Following Biden’s endorsement on Sunday, Harris, 59, quickly gained the backing of prominent Democrats, including former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, California Governor Gavin Newsom and Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro, both considered top presidential contenders.She now has backing of more than half of the Democratic delegates she needs to become her party’s nominee. Harris still needs to win over key hold-outs and some donors who advocate for an open contest to determine the Democratic candidate against Republican challenger Donald Trump, reported AFP. US media reported that Democratic super political action committee (PAC) Future Forward secured $150 million in donor commitments within 24 hours of Biden exiting the race, according to a senior aide. The super PAC had $122 million in cash as of the end of June, according to Federal Election Commission filings.Among notable figures supporting Harris on Sunday was LinkedIn co-founder Reid Hoffman. He expressed his support on social media, saying, “I wholeheartedly support Kamala Harris and her candidacy for President of the United States in our fight for democracy in November.”Alex Soros, chairman of the Open Society Foundations and son of billionaire philanthropist George Soros, also urged the public to rally behind Harris, stating, “Unite around Kamala Harris and beat Donald Trump.”Grassroots group Swing Left launched a fund for the eventual Democratic candidate on Sunday and raised over $160,000 in less than 24 hours from approximately 1,500 unique donors.However, there are calls for an open selection process. Donor Vinod Khosla pushed for “an open convention” and the selection of “a more moderate candidate” in a social media post shortly after Biden’s announcement. Another donor, John Morgan, expressed his lack of enthusiasm, writing, “You have to be enthusiastic or hoping for a political appointment to be asking friends for money. I am neither.”