In a significant fundraising surge, the Democratic Party raised $100 million through its primary fundraising platform, ActBlue, just a day after President Joe Biden announced his decision not to run for re-election. This impressive total was reported by Ryan Murphy, a developer for The Marshall Project, who tracks donations via ActBlue’s extensive historical data.
On Sunday alone, Vice President Kamala Harris’s presidential campaign launched, attracting an impressive $66.9 million in donations, marking the most successful single fundraising day of the 2024 election cycle for ActBlue. This eclipses previous records, including a notable fundraising day during the first presidential debate between Biden and Trump in September 2020.
With this boost, ActBlue surpassed a major milestone, reaching $14 billion in total donations since its inception two decades ago. In contrast, its Republican counterpart, WinRed, which was established in late 2019, has raised approximately $4.3 billion to date, highlighting the substantial fundraising capabilities of both organizations.
ActBlue expressed enthusiasm over the influx of new donors, noting many individuals contributed to the platform for the first time, which underscores a dynamic grassroots movement within the Democratic Party. Additionally, Future Forward, a super PAC aligned with Biden, reported gathering $150 million in new commitments from top donors within 24 hours after Biden’s announcement supporting Harris. Swing Left also shared that it raised over $160,000 within the same timeframe.
Prominent Democratic figures, including mega-donors like George and Alex Soros, have pledged their support to Harris, suggesting that her campaign will be well-financed as it progresses. In contrast, Biden’s stark fundraising moments have previously occurred in reaction to political events, including a substantial influx after his debate loss against Trump and following Trump’s recent legal troubles.
This recent surge reflects strong grassroots support for the Democratic Party and a mobilization of resources that can significantly influence the upcoming electoral cycle. The evident engagement of new donors signals a revitalized enthusiasm among Democratic supporters, potentially leading to a more competitive landscape as the 2024 election approaches.
This positive trend offers a hopeful glimpse into the party’s future, indicating a robust network of support that could play a crucial role in their electoral strategy. As political dynamics continue to evolve, both fundraising capabilities and donor engagement will likely prove pivotal in shaping campaign outcomes.