Just a day after President Joe Biden announced he would not run for re-election in 2024, a significant wave of financial support surged from Democratic donors, raising $100 million through the ActBlue platform. This robust fundraising effort coincided with the launch of Vice President Kamala Harris’s presidential campaign, which on its own garnered $66.9 million on a single day—setting a record for the 2024 election cycle on ActBlue.
Ryan Murphy, a developer at The Marshall Project, tracked these donations, revealing that ActBlue, a key platform for Democratic fundraising, reached an impressive milestone of $14 billion raised since its inception. In contrast, its Republican equivalent, WinRed, established in late 2019, has accumulated around $4.3 billion in donations.
The data also indicated a fresh wave of engagement among grassroots supporters. ActBlue noted a surge in first-time donations, reflecting growing enthusiasm among new contributors. Within 24 hours of Biden’s announcement and endorsement of Harris, Future Forward, a super PAC aligned with Biden, secured $150 million in commitments from major donors, while Swing Left reported over $160,000 raised to support the eventual Democratic nominee.
Prominent figures in the Democratic party, including super donors like George and Alex Soros, have pledged their support for Harris’s campaign, signaling strong financial backing moving forward.
Historically, Biden’s previous best fundraising moments occurred following significant political events, including a notable fundraising spike after a debate with Trump. Recent reports reveal the competitiveness of fundraising between Biden and Trump-aligned groups, with pro-Biden organizations raising $332.4 million compared to $431.2 million for pro-Trump factions between April and June.
This current influx of support demonstrates a renewed vigor among Democratic supporters and sets a promising foundation as Harris embarks on her campaign. The involvement of both grassroots donors and influential wealthy backers suggests a unified front to rally around the Democratic ticket, enhancing their chances in the upcoming election.
Overall, the enthusiasm and financial mobilization seen in this quick response indicates a resilient Democratic party refocusing its efforts as it gears up for the challenge ahead.