Kamala Harris comes under fire for post-election fundraising blitz

File photo: US Vice President Kamala Harris (Photo credit: AP)

Weeks after her election defeat, Vice President Kamala Harris continues to solicit donations through frequent fundraising emails. Critics say the aggressive approach is alienating supporters while raising questions about the management of her campaign’s finances.
Letters from Harris’ team, dubbed “Harris Fighting Foundation“, called on donors to contribute immediately, warning of the urgent need to oppose President-elect Donald Trump’s nominations and policies.
According to the New York Post, one email berated recipients, saying, “Our records show you haven’t contributed yet. We know the election didn’t go the way we hoped, but we won’t back down.”
Harris’ campaign, which raised $1.5 billion in 15 weeks, ended with an estimated $20 million in debt, according to insiders cited by Politico. However, Harris’ team disputes these claims.
Critics, including Democratic strategist John Reinisch, argue that the constant calls are “annoying” and potentially harmful to the party. “Receiving requests for fundraising after a candidate has lost, especially if he has millions in debt, is insulting,” Reinisch was quoted as saying by The New York Post.
Harris’ campaign spending choices have also come under scrutiny. Significant expenses included $1 million for Oprah Winfrey’s Harpo Productions, $900,000 for advertising in the Las Vegas Sphere, and millions for private jets and luxury hotels.
More than half a billion dollars went to four media consulting firms.
James Carville, a longtime Democratic Party insider, has called for an audit of Harris’ campaign finances. “When your plane crashes, you can’t just move on. You investigate what went wrong,” The New York Post quotes him as saying. Carville also added that more scrutiny is needed beyond the Federal Election Commission’s disclosures.
Some Democrats worry that Harris’ fundraising tactics could alienate small donors who are key to the party’s funding. “That tone undermines trust,” Politico quoted Democratic digital strategist Mike Nellis as saying.
James Zogby, a member of the Democratic National Committee, also expressed concern, calling the tone of the fundraising “begging” and calling for more financial transparency within the Democratic Party.
The emails cite ongoing recount efforts and legal challenges as reasons for continuing to raise funds. However, the fine print shows that most of the funds raised go to the Democratic National Committee (DNC) and state affiliates rather than the recount account. This practice, although legal, has caused further controversy.
The controversy comes ahead of the Feb. 1 election for the next Democratic National Committee chairman, who will oversee the party’s financial direction after Biden. Candidates such as Minnesota DFL Chairman Ken Martin and former Maryland Gov. Martin O’Malley are expected to take up the issue.
Zogby, who is running for vice chairman of the Democratic National Committee, advocates creating a fiscal oversight committee to monitor party spending. “Where does the money go and why don’t we know where it goes?” he told Politico.
Despite the criticism, Harris remains active in Democratic fundraising and is reportedly considering another presidential run in 2028. For now, her campaign emails continue to call on donors to “build a foundation of resources” to hold the Trump administration accountable.