Kamala Harris’ associates are secretly preparing for her run for US president should Biden drop out of the race, POLITICO reports.
A Democratic donor adviser has begun collecting pledges from female donors to support Harris, and a women’s political organisation has reached out to its donor base in an effort to secure an initial wave of contributions to a potential Harris campaign, according to people familiar with the effort. Those people shared information about the financial manoeuvres on the condition of strict anonymity because of Harris’ extremely sensitive political position as Biden’s running mate and tensions within the Democratic Party over Biden’s future.
A leader of the women’s political organisation granted anonymity to speak about sensitive Democratic Party planning said:
What’s important is that there’s a massive show of support for her right away, which shows a signal that we’re all in for her.
The organisation has started preparing emails and messages. Those involved in supporting women candidates have already started planning to help Harris in a quick show of strength by preparing lists of donors, the interlocutor added. According to the interlocutor, some donors have already actively indicated their willingness to give money. The political leader added:
Donors are lining up to support Harris as soon as she’s a potential nominee. We certainly know that we are hearing from all of our donors that they want to support her.
The political leader clarified that it’s too early to make a full commitment. However, a donor adviser said five donors have already committed to potentially making six-figure contributions to the Democratic ticket with Harris as the primary nominee. But the push is still in its infancy, and the campaign’s funding status will be unclear if multiple women end up vying for the nomination, the interlocutor stressed.
The effort comes amid chaos among Democratic Party officials, persistent calls for Biden to resign and dismal poll results that portend an increasingly bleak future for the president’s chances for a second term.
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries and former Speaker Nancy Pelosi have privately urged Biden to reconsider his re-election bid as fears grow that Biden could cost Democrats an election victory in November.
Biden’s fundraising traction has waned since the presidential debate, which raised many questions about the president’s mental capacity. Some have said they will not give money to a Democratic ticket with Biden as the primary. But the momentum to strengthen Harris’ position, backed by female donors, also suggests that her position as Biden’s replacement is fluid.
In the event of an open convention, other people such as California Governor Gavin Newsom or Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker could emerge as contenders. Newsom, with considerable resources from California, is a powerful fundraiser and party emissary, while Pritzker is a multi-billionaire heir to the Hyatt Hotel fortune.
