Kamala Harris and the Democratic Party’s spectacular fundraising operation raised more than $1 billion in losses to Donald Trump, but the vice president is still pushing donors for more money after the election.
Democrats have been sending out constant appeals to Harris supporters without explicitly asking them to cover any potential debt, wooing donors instead of other issues: electing a Republican president-elect to his incoming administration and Pending congressional contests where ballots are still open. long
“The Harris campaign certainly spent more than they raised and is now busy trying to raise funds,” said Adrian Hammond, a Democratic strategist from Michigan. He said he was asked by the campaign to help fundraise for Trump.
The party is flooding Harris’ lucrative email donor list with almost daily appeals aimed at small-dollar donors — those whose contributions are measured in the hundreds of dollars or less. But Hammond said post-election efforts also include individual calls to major donors.
A person familiar with the effort and the Democratic National Committee’s finances said the Harris campaign’s expected shortfall was relatively small compared to the size of the campaign, which had $119 million in cash in mid-October ahead of the Nov. 5 election. Was informed. The person was not authorized to discuss campaign finances publicly and spoke on condition of anonymity.
But the turmoil now underscores the costs involved in trying to lose and the immediate challenges Democrats face as they try to maintain a grassroots political operation to withstand the Trump administration and prepare for the 2026 midterm elections. It also raises questions about how Democrats have used their resources, including hosting events with musicians and other celebrities, as well as running ads in unconventional venues like the Sphere Dome in Las Vegas. .
Patrick Stauffer, the Harris campaign’s chief financial officer, said in a statement that there were “no outstanding debts or bills owed” on Election Day and that “there will be no debt” on subsequent financial disclosures by the campaign or the DNC. Which is to be held in December by the Federal Election Commission.
A person familiar with campaign and DNC finances said it’s impossible to know where Harris’ balance sheet currently stands. The campaign is still receiving receipts from vendors for events and other services near the end of the race. There are also outstanding campaign receipts. For example, by media organizations that would have to pay for their employees’ spots on Air Force Two because it traveled to the vice president’s campaign activities.
Within hours of Trump’s pick of Florida Republican Matt Gaetz for attorney general on Wednesday, Harris supporters received calls for more money for the “Harris Fight Fund,” referring to the emerging Trump team and its agenda. happened
Gaetz, who resigned his House seat after the announcement, “will weaponize the Justice Department to protect himself,” the email said. He said Democrats “must stop him from pursuing Trump’s plans for vengeance and retribution” and noted that “even his Republican allies are surprised by this Cabinet pick.”
Another appeal was filed on Friday in Harris’s name.
“America’s light of promise will shine bright as long as we keep fighting,” the email said, adding that “there are still many critical races across the country that are either too close to call or a recount.” with a margin of or certain legal challenges.”
The emails do not mention Harris’ campaign or its finances.
“Harris Fight Fund” is a post-election label for the “Harris Victory Fund,” a joint fundraising operation of the Harris campaign, the DNC and state Democratic parties. Despite language in recent appeals, most rank-and-file donors’ contributions will go to the national party, unless a donor takes the time to contact the DNC directly and direct the money to Harris or a state party. Don’t go.
The fine print at the bottom of the application explains that the first $41,300 will be allocated to the DNC by an individual and the first $15,000 by a political action committee. The next $3,300 from an individual or $5,000 from a PAC will go to Harris for the president’s “recount account.” Anything beyond that limit, up to a maximum contribution limit that can reach hundreds of thousands of dollars, would be spread across state parties.
Officials at the DNC, which is set to undergo a leadership transition early next year, have indicated that the party has no plans to make up any shortfall for Harris but has made it clear that Cannot rule out that the party transfers any money to the campaign.
