Democrats raise $47mln, 'biggest funding' after Harris replaces Biden
6 Min Read
Democratic National Committee chairs announce that instructions for the formal nomination procedure in the wake of Biden's withdrawal from the race will be provided "in the coming days."
-
Vice President Kamala Harris, left, and President Joe Biden arrive for an event in the East Room of the White House, May 9, 2024, in Washington. (AP)
Democratic fundraiser ActBlue reported that it has already processed $46.7 million in donations, just two hours after declaring it had raised $27.5 million in response to President Joe Biden's withdrawal from the presidential run and his endorsement of Kamala Harris.
In a statement, ActBlue said, "UPDATE: As of 9pm ET, grassroots supporters have raised $46.7 million through ActBlue following Vice President Kamala Harris’ campaign launch," adding, "This has been the biggest fundraising day of the 2024 cycle. Small-dollar donors are fired up and ready to take on this election."
Following the announcement that Vice President Kamala Harris has received President Joe Biden's endorsement for the presidency, the United Auto Workers Union responded. Although referring to Harris as an "ally", the UAW spokesperson refrained from endorsing Harris on the basis that the board will convene soon.
Speaking to ABC News, a UAW spokesperson said, "Our UAW International Executive Board, elected by the membership of the UAW, will meet in the coming days to decide our next steps. Vice President Harris has been an ally and a champion for the UAW and the whole working class, and we're excited to defeat Donald Trump and the billionaire class at the ballot box this November."
Obama won't endorse Harris
Barack Obama, a former Democrat US president, expressed his trust in the Democratic Party's ability to set up a process to select the best candidate for president on Sunday, declining to endorse Vice President Kamala Harris.
The same day, NBC News revealed that rather than nominating Harris right away, Democrats in the US Congress stated they would like to have an open election to select the Democratic nominee to succeed Biden.
Meanwhile, in a statement, former US President Bill Clinton and his spouse Hillary said that they are "honored to join the President in endorsing Vice President Harris."
Statement from President Clinton and Secretary Clinton pic.twitter.com/R7tYMFWbsu
— Bill Clinton (@BillClinton) July 21, 2024
'Honoring' the Biden legacy
In a memo to members that ABC News was able to obtain, Democratic National Committee Chair Jamie Harrison and Convention Chair Minyon Moore announced that instructions for the formal nomination procedure in the wake of Biden's withdrawal from the race will be provided "in the coming days."
The memo read, “While this situation is unprecedented, the DNC is ready to undertake a transparent and orderly process to move forward as a united Democratic Party and select a nominee."
"This process will be governed by rules and procedures of our Party, and we know that all of you are ready to take your responsibility seriously to swiftly nominate a candidate who will defeat Donald Trump in November. In the coming days, you will hear more from us on the next steps to formally select our nominee. As we move forward, our values as Democrats will remain the same – protecting our basic freedoms, fighting for working families, and saving our democracy from the threat of dictatorship."
Read next: 'Support Kamala Harris, America's future depends on It,' Clintons say
Together, they declared that the DNC will "honor" Biden's "legacy with a firm commitment to nominating and electing a Democratic president this November" who will carry on his administration's accomplishments.
Democrats intended to carry out their virtual nomination procedure as of Friday to guarantee that Biden and Harris appeared on ballots in all 50 states - that was before Biden's declaration on Sunday.
The next meeting of the Democratic National Committee's rules committee is scheduled for Wednesday, July 24, from 2:00 to 5:00 p.m. ET, an ABC News source confirmed. The DNC's YouTube page will have the meeting available to the public.
Major Biden donor and ally John Morgan stated in an interview for ABC News on Sunday night that he will not raise money for the Democratic ticket if Vice President Kamala Harris is the nominee.
Calling himself a "Biden/Manchin type Dem," Morgan told ABC News that while he was fully committed to Biden, he believed Harris would go too far to the left and lose in November.
After Biden endorsed Harris, Morgan told ABC News he had already notified the Biden National Finance Committee that he was quitting his fundraising efforts.
The Democratic National Convention, where the party’s nominee will be officially selected, is scheduled to take place in Chicago from August 19-22.
Sign of the times
Biden announced Sunday that he was withdrawing from the 2024 presidential race against Donald Trump.
"While it has been my intention to seek reelection, I believe it is in the best interest of my party and the country for me to stand down and focus solely on fulfilling my duties as President for the remainder of my term," Biden stated in a statement posted on X.
— Joe Biden (@JoeBiden) July 21, 2024
Biden also endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris as the Democratic nominee for the 2024 election. "Today I want to offer my full support and endorsement for Kamala to be the nominee of our party this year," he said, also via X.
My fellow Democrats, I have decided not to accept the nomination and to focus all my energies on my duties as President for the remainder of my term. My very first decision as the party nominee in 2020 was to pick Kamala Harris as my Vice President. And it’s been the best… pic.twitter.com/x8DnvuImJV
— Joe Biden (@JoeBiden) July 21, 2024
Trump reacted to Biden's decision with harsh criticism, stating, "He will go down in US history as the worst president in history."
Last week, NBC News reported that a group of Democrats were quietly organizing Harris' potential presidential campaign in case Biden steps down.
According to the report, the party is focused on strategies of unity and plans rallies in key states featuring figures like Michelle Obama and Bill Clinton.
Harris has already lauded Biden's "patriotic" decision not to seek reelection on Sunday and pledged to secure the Democratic nomination and defeat Trump.
"With this selfless and patriotic act, President Biden is doing what he has done throughout his life of service: putting the American people and our country above everything else," Harris stated.
"I am honored to have the president's endorsement and my intention is to earn and win this nomination. I will do everything in my power to unite the Democratic Party - and unite our nation - to defeat Donald Trump," she added.
