Kamala Harris’ fundraising in Georgia surges in July after campaign announcement

Initial enthusiasm for Vice President Kamala Harris’ campaign allowed her to raise $2.4 million from Georgians in July after the announcement of her Democratic presidential bid, far outpacing Republican nominee Donald Trump and President Joe Biden that month.

Over half of the contributions came in during the first few days after Harris began her campaign on July 21. Harris’ fundraising took off nationally as well after she entered the race.

“There was a huge enthusiasm gap between Republicans and Democrats while Biden was still in the race, and that’s now just sort of disappeared,” University of Georgia political scientist Trey Hood said. “This fundraising effort on her part is sort of a reflection of this gap disappearing.”

Harris’ fundraising is closing the gap of campaign donations in Georgia. Since the beginning of 2023, Trump’s fundraising in Georgia has topped $7 million. Biden and Harris have raised $6 million. Just one month earlier, at the end of June, Trump had raised almost twice as much from Georgians as Biden.

Leading up to his withdrawal from the race, Biden had raised roughly $370,000 from Georgians in July, compared with Trump’s $840,000. By the end of the month, Biden and Harris had raised approximately $2.8 million from Georgians during July while Trump raised almost $900,000.