The latest national poll in the 2024 race between Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump shows a tight race, with fundraising becoming a crucial factor in determining campaign strength.
Recent data from the Federal Election Commission reveals that Vice President Harris has emerged as a clear frontrunner in the battle for campaign cash. During the first half of October, Harris's campaign raised an impressive $97 million, significantly surpassing the $16 million raised by the Trump campaign during the same period.
When considering affiliated fundraising committees, Harris maintained a substantial lead, with a total haul of $176 million compared to Trump's $97 million in the first two weeks of October.
Moreover, the filings indicate that Harris's campaign has been outspending Trump's, with expenditures totaling $166 million to Trump's $99 million during the first 16 days of October. Both campaigns allocated a significant portion of their budgets to paid media.
As of October 16, Harris reported a cash-on-hand of $119 million, while Trump had $36 million. Including joint-fundraising committees, Harris holds a significant cash advantage of $240 million to Trump's $168 million.
Earlier this year, President Biden and the Democratic National Committee led in fundraising, but Trump and the Republican National Committee surpassed them with $331 million compared to $264 million during the second quarter of 2024 fundraising.
Following Biden's withdrawal from the race in July, the Democratic Party rallied around Harris, leading to a surge in fundraising driven by small-dollar donations. Harris has consistently outpaced Trump in fundraising since becoming the Democratic nominee.
Fundraising plays a crucial role in a candidate's campaign, enabling them to hire staff, enhance grassroots outreach, fund advertising across various platforms, and support candidate travel. The financial resources amassed by each campaign are indicative of their popularity and organizational strength as they head towards the November 5 election.
