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Kamala Harris Takes Over as the Democratic Nominee for President in 2024, Inheriting Biden's Campaign Funds and Grassroots Support

URL:

• Biden's endorsement of Harris: https://x.com/JoeBiden/status/1815087772216303933
• Biden's announcement: https://x.com/JoeBiden/status/1815080881981190320
• Biden-Harris campaign funds: https://docquery.fec.gov/cgi-bin/forms/C00703975/1805326//
• Trevor Potter's statement: https://campaignlegal.org/press-releases/clcs-trevor-potter-fec-rules-guiding-campaign-funds-when-nominee-withdraws
• Federal law on campaign deposits: https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-11/chapter-I/subchapter-A/part-103/section-103.4
• Yahoo! News article on Harris campaign donations: https://www.yahoo.com/news/kamala-harris-raises-nearly-50-095255596.html#:~:text=leaving%20the%20page.,for%20Biden%20said%20on%20Monday.)

In a shocking turn of events, President Joe Biden has bowed out of the 2024 presidential race, endorsing Vice President Kamala Harris as his replacement. This unprecedented move has led to speculation about the fate of Biden's substantial campaign funds, with experts weighing in on the legal "gray area" surrounding the transfer of donations to Harris' campaign.

Harris Steps Into the Spotlight

Harris May Inherit Biden's Campaign War Chest:

• The Biden-Harris campaign has been officially renamed "Harris for President," indicating Harris' intention to run for the highest office.
• The campaign had $127 million in funds as of June, and Harris is expected to have access to these funds for her presidential bid.
• Trevor Potter, founder and president of the Campaign Legal Center, confirms this, stating that "Vice President Harris...will henceforth be conducting campaign activities only in pursuit of that office."

Legal and Financial Complexities

Unprecedented Situation:

• The redirection of funds to Harris is not as straightforward as it seems due to the unique circumstances.
• Even the 1968 withdrawal of President Lyndon B. Johnson from the election did not involve current campaign finance laws.
• Dan Weiner, from the Brennan Center for Justice, highlights the ambiguity in the law, stating, "It’s not crystal clear because I’m not sure if the people who drafted the Federal Election Campaign Act anticipated this situation."

Grassroots Support for Harris Pours In

A Surge of Support for Harris:

• Since Biden's endorsement, the "Harris for President" campaign has received an incredible $49.6 million in grassroots donations from everyday Americans, signifying a groundswell of support for the first female President of the United States.
• Biden's campaign, notably bolstered by a Hollywood fundraiser with former President Barack Obama, raised over $127 million in June, showcasing the Democratic Party's strength and determination to retain the White House.

As Harris takes the reins, the Democratic Party unites behind her, eagerly awaiting the historic moment when she steps up to the podium to accept the nomination at the Democratic National Convention, confident in her ability to lead the country forward.