In August, Kamala Harris’ campaign spent $174 million, while her Republican rival Donald Trump’s campaign claimed $61 million in spending.
The two campaigns are entering the final stretch of an extremely tight presidential race. Harris and Trump are going very close in many polls, including in contested states that could determine the winner.
The candidates said most of their spending went on advertising, with smaller amounts going to rallies, travel and campaign staff salaries. The Harris campaign also reported a $75,000 donation to the Detroit Unity Fund, a nonprofit that seeks to increase black voter turnout in the state of Michigan, a major battleground in the election.
Harris’ high spending comes as she has received a surge in donations to her campaign since entering the presidential race, which had raised $235 million by August, slightly more than it had at the beginning of the month. Meanwhile, Trump’s campaign reduced its balance sheet, ending August with $135 million, about $17 million less than at the beginning of the month.
Both candidates claimed fundraising totals for the month that included their political party accounts. In their official Federal Election Commission campaign reports, Harris reported raising $190 million in August, while Trump reported raising $45 million.
Despite Harris’ financial advantage, still no guarantees of winning the election. Of note, Trump defeated Hillary Clinton in the 2016 presidential election despite raising less money.
