80% of funds for Harris come from institutions and citizens
On the eve of the vote the current vice-president boasts widespread support, but also big sponsors such as Gates and Bloomberg
from our correspondent in New York Luca Veronese
3' min read
3' min read
"Our donors are largely citizens and non-large associations, we also have many large donors and super Pacs, but their contribution is worth less than 20% of the total of what we have raised to organise our activities," explained Jen O'Malley Dillon, Kamala Harris' campaign manager. Big donors do not carry the weight for the Democrats that they do for Donald Trump. Alongside Harris, however, there are a number of prominent figures, well-known billionaires, who, while not wanting to expose themselves too much at election rallies, make a difference in supporting the progressive candidate: and they do so with the millions of dollars they put into the campaign and even more so with their charisma.
The Harris campaign collected $1.76 billion through groups organised by the Democratic Party for the election. And it has been able to rely on nearly $400 million donated by a small number of billionaires. The Soros family, with father George and son Alex, very active in organising events for Harris. And then Bill Gates, Michael Bloomberg, but also Dustin Moskovitz and Reid Hoffman. And more defensively Jamie Dimon of JpMorgan Chase. They all chose to side with the Democrats, after analysing the importance of this election for the economy and for American democracy. Putting their reputations on the line and defying Trump's threats against those who dare oppose the advance of the populist right wing of America First.
"I support candidates who demonstrate commitment to improving health care, reducing poverty, and fighting climate change in the United States and around the world," Gates told the New York Times. "I have a long history of working with leaders across the political spectrum, but," he added, "this election is different, with unprecedented significance for Americans and vulnerable people around the world.
The founder of Microsoft, one of the richest people in the world, has not publicly expressed his support for Harris, but - according to the US newspaper, which cites three people with knowledge of the matter - he has privately stated that in recent weeks he has written a cheque for USD 50 million to Future Forward, an organisation that supports Vice-President Harris's run for the White House. After decades away from politics and confirming his willingness to work with whoever is elected president, Gates decided to take action because 'this election is different', as he also reportedly confided in Michael Bloomberg.
Since 2010, individuals in the US have been allowed to donate unlimited sums to candidates through super political action groups: the PACs - Political Action Committees - which are not formally part of official election campaigns.
