Just one day after President Joe Biden announced that he would not seek re-election, Democrats managed to raise an impressive $100 million from donors through their primary fundraising platform, ActBlue. This significant amount reflects the enthusiastic response from supporters, demonstrating a strong financial backing for the party as the election cycle progresses.
According to a live tracker maintained by Ryan Murphy from The Marshall Project, ActBlue reported that donors contributed $66.9 million on a single day—specifically to the launch of Vice President Kamala Harris’s presidential campaign, marking the largest day of contributions in the 2024 election cycle for the platform. The previous record was set on September 30, 2020, when Biden and Trump faced off in their first presidential debate.
The phenomenal success of the fundraising drive led ActBlue to surpass a remarkable $14 billion in total cash raised since its inception two decades ago. In contrast, WinRed, the Republican fundraising platform that started in late 2019, has collected approximately $4.3 billion to date.
Many donors have expressed excitement, with ActBlue reporting a surge in new contributors. The platform remarked on social media, noting how motivating it is to see many first-time donors engaging with grassroots efforts.
On top of this, Future Forward, a super PAC aligned with Biden, garnered a staggering $150 million in commitments from major donors shortly after Biden’s announcement and his endorsement of Harris. Meanwhile, the group Swing Left, which has launched a fund to support the ultimate Democratic nominee, reported raising over $160,000 within just 24 hours.
Support from prominent figures, including Evercore founder Roger Altman and Democratic mega-donors George and Alex Soros, also indicates a strong financial future for Harris’s campaign.
While Biden’s previous fundraising attempts saw notable gains—such as raising $28 million following a difficult debate with Trump—the recent surge suggests a renewed vigor among Democratic supporters and donors. A comparative analysis noted that between April and June, pro-Biden groups raised $332.4 million, while pro-Trump groups took in $431.2 million, highlighting the competitive fundraising landscape leading into the elections.
This remarkable financial momentum underscores the resilience and passion of the Democratic base, revealing their commitment to support candidates who resonate with their values. As we look ahead, this enthusiasm among small-dollar donors, coupled with the backing of significant financial contributors, may prove pivotal in shaping the outcome of the upcoming election cycle.