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Jimmy Williams
Vice President Kamala Harris’ presidential campaign amassed a staggering $81 million within the first 24 hours after President Joe Biden announced he would not seek re-election and Harris declared her candidacy for the Democratic presidential nomination. This record-breaking fundraising effort underscores Harris’ formidable position and financial strength heading into the 2024 election.
The campaign’s significant haul, which includes contributions to Harris’ campaign, the Democratic National Committee, and joint fundraising committees, represents the largest amount of money raised in a 24-hour period in presidential history, according to Harris’ campaign team. The influx of donations came from over 888,000 grassroots donors, with 60% of them making their first contribution of the 2024 election cycle.
Kevin Munoz, spokesperson for Harris’ campaign, expressed the campaign’s enthusiasm over the overwhelming support. “The historic outpouring of support for Vice President Harris represents exactly the kind of grassroots energy and enthusiasm that wins elections,” Munoz said. “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.”
Munoz highlighted the broad support for Harris, stating, “There is a groundswell of support for Vice President Harris. The energy and momentum we’re seeing from all corners of the country underscore the excitement and determination to keep moving forward with the progress we’ve made.”
Among the notable fundraising efforts was a call hosted by the group “Win with Black Women,” which alone brought in $1.6 million, showcasing the enthusiastic backing Harris has from various communities and advocacy groups.
President Biden’s decision to withdraw from the race came after a series of events, including a challenging debate performance in late June that raised concerns about his fitness for a second term. Biden endorsed Harris in a post on X (formerly Twitter), expressing confidence in her leadership. “With this selfless and patriotic act, President Biden is doing what he has done throughout his life of service: putting the American people and our country above everything else,” Harris said in a statement following Biden’s endorsement. “I am honored to have earned his trust and endorsement.”
High-profile Democrats quickly rallied around Harris, offering their endorsements and support. Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer, Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro, and California Governor Gavin Newsom, all rising stars within the party, voiced their backing for Harris. “Kamala Harris has been a dedicated public servant and a tireless advocate for the American people,” Whitmer said. “I am proud to support her candidacy for President.”
Former President Barack Obama also praised Biden’s decision in a lengthy statement, highlighting Biden’s numerous accomplishments. “More than that, President Biden pointed us away from the four years of chaos, falsehood, and division that had characterized Donald Trump’s administration,” Obama wrote. “For him to look at the political landscape and decide that he should pass the torch to a new nominee is surely one of the toughest decisions of his life. But I know he wouldn’t make this decision unless he believed it was right for America.”
In a joint statement, former President Bill Clinton and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton expressed their support for Harris. “We are honored to join the President in endorsing Vice President Harris and will do whatever we can to support her,” they stated. “We’ve lived through many ups and downs, but nothing has made us more worried for our country than the threat posed by a second Trump term.”
Rep. James Clyburn, D-S.C., a key figure in Biden’s 2020 primary success, endorsed Harris as well. “I echo the good judgment [Biden] demonstrated in selecting Vice President Harris to lead this nation alongside him, and I am proud to follow his lead in support of her candidacy to succeed him as the Democratic Party’s 2024 nominee for President,” Clyburn wrote.
Presidential historian Jon Meacham, in an interview on MSNBC, called Biden’s decision a “singular moment in the history of the American presidency” and a testament to Biden’s dedication to public service. “It tells us a lot about what he truly values — President Biden has decided that this campaign is not about him but about us,” Meacham said. “It’s not about personal ambition, it’s about the durability and viability of the constitutional order that so many of us believe could be in danger as events unfold.”
On the other hand, Republicans have taken Biden’s withdrawal as a cue to call for his immediate resignation. House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., stated, “If Joe Biden is not fit to run for President, he is not fit to serve as President. He must resign the office immediately. November 5 cannot arrive soon enough.”
Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., also criticized Biden’s term, saying, “We cannot afford four more years of failure. The country is less prosperous and less secure than it was in January 2021.” McConnell accused Democrats of pushing Biden out of the race to upend the expressed will of the American people in primary elections.
Former President Donald Trump also weighed in on the matter via Truth Social, stating, “Crooked Joe Biden was not fit to run for President, and is certainly not fit to serve — And never was! We will suffer greatly because of his presidency, but we will remedy the damage he has done very quickly. MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!”
