Harris campaign flooded with donations day after Biden withdrawal

Vice President Kamala Harris’ newly launched presidential campaign raked in $81 million within 24 hours, according to a campaign statement received by WORLD. The surge began after President Joe Biden withdrew from the race and endorsed Harris. Individual grassroots supporters gave $46.7 million by 9 p.m. Sunday, according to ActBlue, a Democratic donation-processing website.

By Monday morning, the Biden campaign team rebranded its website to feature a “Harris for President” logo and merchandise featuring the vice president. Harris wasted no time jumping on the campaign trail and acknowledged her role shift in a Monday social media post. Team Harris will visit campaign staff at headquarters in Delaware today, she wrote. There are just over 100 more days until the November election, she added.

Any news on Harris’ contenders? West Virginia Sen. Joe Manchin said in an interview that he would not challenge Harris for the Democratic nomination. The Democrat-turned-Independent also shut down rumors of his appearing on the ticket alongside Harris. It’s time for a new generation, he said during a Monday interview. More contenders may seek consideration ahead of the Democratic National Convention next month.

Who’s on Harris’ shortlist for a vice-presidential running mate? As the leader of a swing state, Pennsylvania’s Gov. Josh Shapiro is rumored to be on Harris’ list. Shapiro received a 64 percent job approval rating in an April poll and would become the second Jewish candidate on a major party ballot. Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear, who endorsed Harris Monday, could also be tapped for the job. As a blue governor in a red state, Beshear focused on bipartisan unity and spoke about his Christian faith. Analysts also consider Maryland Gov. Wes Moore and North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper as potential VP picks, along with Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg.

Rumors persist that California Gov. Gavin Newsom may run as Harris’ VP. However political analysts find the pairing unlikely with a constitutional rule remaining against an elector voting for two candidates from the elector’s home state. As a staunch West Coast Democrat, Newsom seems similar to Harris and would offer her campaign little geographic or ideological balance. 

Dig deeper: Read Josh Schumacher’s report on the circumstances around Biden’s withdrawal from the race and the public’s reaction.