Just one day after President Joe Biden announced his decision not to seek re-election, Democrats successfully raised an impressive $100 million from donors through ActBlue, which serves as their primary fundraising platform. This amount was recorded over a two-day period by Ryan Murphy from The Marshall Project, highlighting a significant financial response amidst a pivotal moment in the political landscape, although this figure is not yet official as it relies on ActBlue’s extensive donation tracking system.
Notably, Sunday marked a historic day for fundraising efforts, as donors contributed $66.9 million to launch Vice President Kamala Harris’s presidential campaign—the largest single-day total for ActBlue in this election cycle. This surpasses previous high points, including the substantial fundraising following major events such as the presidential debates. With this influx of support, ActBlue has now raised a cumulative total of $14 billion since its inception two decades ago, contrasting sharply with the $4.3 billion raised by its Republican counterpart, WinRed, since late 2019.
ActBlue expressed enthusiasm about the response, noting that many new contributors made their first donations during this exciting period, which represents a growing grassroots movement. Additionally, the Biden-aligned super PAC Future Forward secured $150 million in commitments from major donors shortly after Biden’s announcement and subsequent endorsement of Harris, while Swing Left raised over $160,000 within a similar timeframe.
Roger Altman, founder of Evercore, expressed confidence in Harris’s campaign, declaring it would be “very well financed.” Prominent Democratic donors, including George and Alex Soros, have also shown their support for her candidacy, suggesting a strong financial backing moving forward.
Historically, Biden’s fundraising efforts have spiked in response to significant events, such as debates and actions taken against Trump, as demonstrated by the millions raised in the wake of Trump’s legal challenges earlier this year. Despite recent challenges, the fundraising activities illustrate a vibrant engagement from Democratic supporters as the 2024 election cycle continues to unfold.
In summary, the recent surge in donations reflects both a robust mobilization of grassroots support for the Democrats and a strategic push to solidify financial resources for the upcoming election. This financial momentum could indicate an energized base ready to rally around their candidates as they navigate the evolving political landscape. The engagement from new donors also paints a hopeful picture for the Democratic campaign, suggesting that enthusiasm for their initiatives remains strong.