More money, specifically more small-dollar donors to Sen. Kamala Harris, D-Calif., means more problems for Republicans. She outpaced the 24-hour 2015 haul of progressive superstar Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt.
Harris officially declared her candidacy for president on Monday. She raised more than a million dollars before 7:30 p.m. to finish the day with $1.5 million from 38,000 donors, her aides told Politico. That’s an average donation of $39.
Compare that cash flow to the haul reported by the insurgent Sanders campaign. He raised about the same amount — $1.5 million — but from fewer contributors, 35,000. That’s an average of $43.
The differential shouldn’t be dismissed.
It’s not just that if Sanders makes a second bid in 2020, Harris will compete directly with him for dollars and for votes. The more significant fact is that she tied his record with more donors giving less money on average. This indicates a similar if not broader base early on.
Plus, Harris probably won’t have to fight the establishment like Sanders did when running against Hillary Clinton. It will take time for a candidate to grasp that brass ring and the traditional fundraising that comes with it. For now, Harris is making a play for that establishment money while solidifying a pool of smaller donors.
As things stand now, it seems Harris has the fundraising ability to become a real contender. If this continues, she could wreck the rest of the Democratic field before taking a serious shot at Republicans.
