Kamala Harris Holds Emergency Call With Dem Donors
Vice President Kamala Harris will speak with major Democratic donors in a call to discuss what sources described to The New York Times by two sources as “urgent, emerging” issues related to the 2024 campaign.
According to an email reviewed by the Times, Reid Hoffman — a venture capitalist and major Democratic donor who endorsed the call— wrote to “friends and allies” that we “continue to find ourselves in a rapidly evolving environment […] With the stakes as high as they are this cycle, we have to remain focused on the critical work that needs to be done to protect our democracy,” he added.
NBC News later reported that Harris had been tapped to attend the call by President Joe Biden’s advisers. CNBC reported after the call that Harris emphasized to donors that she and Biden are running together and they intend to defeat Donald Trump.
As pressure from lawmakers increases on Biden to suspend his campaign amid concerns about his advanced age and health, the vice president has emerged as a potential natural successor to the Democratic presidential nomination. Multiple prominent Democratic donors have already paused donations following Biden’s disastrous debate performance against Trump last month, including Abigail Disney, granddaughter of Disney founder Walt Disney, Netflix co-founder Reed Hastings, and philanthropist Gideon Stein.
On Thursday, Politico reported that allies of the vice president have begun courting potentially disaffected donors — particularly female donors. “What’s important is that there’s a massive show of support for her right away, which shows a signal that we’re all in for her,” the leader of one women’s political group told Politico.
Even as Biden continues to insist that he will remain the Democratic nominee through the November election, the wheels behind a Harris candidacy may already be in motion.
In the aftermath of the Republican National Convention, a new wave of Democratic lawmakers have called on Biden to step aside, these include Sens. Jon Tester (D-Mont.) and Martin
Heinrich (D-N.M.), as well as slew of House Democrats including Jim Costa (D-Calif.), Sean Casten (D-Ill.), Zoe Lofgren (D-Calif.), Chuy Garcia (D-Ill.), and Mark Pocan (D-Wisc.).
NBC News reported Friday morning that members of Biden’s family have started discussing what a possible exit from the race might look like, but Biden reaffirmed that he’s staying in the race in a statement released later in the day.
“I look forward to getting back on the campaign trail next week to continue exposing the threat of Donald Trump’s Project 2025 agenda while making the case for my own record and the vision that I have for America: one where we save our democracy, protect our rights and freedoms, and create opportunity for everyone,” Biden wrote. “The stakes are high, and the choice is clear. Together, we will win.”