‘This is transformative’: Early elation expressed by some Democratic donors at Harris’ potential ascension

Alan Kessler, a Philadelphia lawyer and longtime Democratic fundraiser, said the texts and emails began soon after news broke Sunday that President Joe Biden had withdrawn from the 2024 race and called for Vice President Kamala Harris to become his successor.

Alan Kessler, a Philadelphia lawyer and longtime Democratic fundraiser, said the texts and emails began soon after news broke Sunday that President Joe Biden had withdrawn from the 2024 race and called for Vice President Kamala Harris to become his successor. One, in particular, summed up the mood among Biden’s donors, he said. “This is transformative,” the text from a major contributor read. After weeks of turmoil over the future of the Democratic ticket, Kessler said the campaign donors he’s courted as a bundler for Biden’s campaign are turning their full attention to Harris and committing to work on her behalf. “They’re really excited, and they are all in,” he said. In another sign of enthusiasm: Small-dollar donors contributed more than $27.5 million in the first five hours of Harris’ presidential campaign, according to ActBlue, the online fundraising platform for Democratic candidates and causes. Harris will need the money. Although the Biden-Harris campaign and its affiliated committees outraised former President Donald Trump’s political operation in June, newly filed campaign reports show the Trump team entered July and the general election showdown with a bigger war chest of available cash.