Kamala Harris campaign spending/ Trump campaign/ 2024 election fundraising/ battleground states campaign / Newslooks/ Washington/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Kamala Harris’ campaign reported spending $174 million in August, nearly three times more than Donald Trump’s $61 million, according to financial disclosures. Both campaigns directed much of their spending towards ads, rallies, and campaign staff. Despite Harris’ financial advantage, the presidential race remains tight, with both candidates neck-and-neck in key battleground states.
Harris Campaign Outspends Trump Nearly 3-to-1 in August Quick Looks:
- Kamala Harris spent $174 million in August, nearly three times Trump’s $61 million.
- The bulk of spending from both campaigns went to advertising and campaign operations.
- Harris made a notable donation to a Michigan non-profit aiming to boost Black voter turnout.
- Despite outspending Trump, Harris remains in a tight race as polls show both candidates neck-and-neck.
- Trump’s campaign ended August with $135 million, compared to Harris’ $235 million.
Harris Campaign Spent $174M in August, Far Surpassing Trump
Deep Look:
Kamala Harris’ campaign outspent her Republican rival Donald Trump nearly three to one in August, reflecting her substantial financial advantage as the 2024 presidential election approaches. According to financial disclosures filed on Friday with the Federal Election Commission, Harris’ campaign spent $174 million last month compared to Trump’s $61 million.
Financial Edge in a Tight Race
Harris, who stepped into the race in July after President Joe Biden dropped his re-election bid and endorsed her, has been using her financial lead to saturate the airwaves with television ads. Her campaign’s spending included a significant $75,000 donation to the Detroit Unity Fund, a non-profit organization working to increase Black voter turnout in the critical battleground state of Michigan. This aligns with Harris’ strategy of targeting key states to secure a win on Nov. 5.
However, despite the significant spending gap, the race remains highly competitive. Polls indicate that Harris and Trump are running neck-and-neck, particularly in battleground states that could determine the outcome of the election. The financial advantage, while helpful, does not guarantee a victory. In 2016, Trump defeated Hillary Clinton despite raising less money than his Democratic opponent, showing that campaign spending doesn’t always translate into electoral success.
Campaign Expenditures Breakdown
Both Harris and Trump allocated the majority of their campaign expenditures towards advertising. With Election Day fast approaching, the candidates are relying heavily on ads to sway undecided voters and energize their base. The remainder of their budgets went to rallies, campaign travel, and staff salaries.
While Harris reported spending more aggressively, her campaign also managed to end August with a significant financial cushion. The campaign had $235 million on hand, slightly more than what it started with at the beginning of the month. Harris’ strong fundraising efforts—fueled in part by her entry into the race after Biden’s weak debate performance against Trump—helped boost her campaign coffers.
Trump’s campaign, on the other hand, saw a decrease in its financial reserves, ending August with $135 million—about $17 million less than at the beginning of the month. Despite spending less, Trump’s campaign remains competitive and is strategically spending its funds to maintain momentum.
Fundraising Totals
In August, Harris’ campaign raised $190 million, according to her FEC report, while Trump brought in $45 million. These fundraising totals include contributions from each candidate’s political party, further emphasizing Harris’ financial edge in the final stretch of the election.
While the money race clearly favors Harris, the outcome of the 2024 presidential election will depend on more than just dollars. Both candidates are navigating a highly polarized electorate, with swing states like Michigan, Pennsylvania, and North Carolina likely playing pivotal roles. As the campaigns enter the final weeks before the election, the financial strategies of Harris and Trump could determine who gains the upper hand in the battleground states that will decide the presidency.
