WASHINGTON — The fundraising apparatus of Vice President Kamala Harris will direct $24.5 million to organizations dedicated to electing down-ballot Democratic candidates, Harris’ campaign chief said Tuesday.

The Harris campaign will send $10 million each to the House and Senate Democratic campaign arms, $2.5 million to the body that helps elect state legislative Democrats and $1 million each to the Democratic Governors Association and the Democratic attorneys general campaign arm, it said.

The campaign did not say which of its fundraising vehicles — Harris for President, the Democratic National Committee or the campaign’s joint fundraising committees it operates with state Democratic parties — would be tapped to send the money to the down-ballot groups.

Related Story: Harris Surges Ahead of Trump in Poll, Gains Support from Women and Hispanics

The cash transfers reflect Harris’ surge of financial support, and represent an increased focus among Democrats on down-ballot races. The party was wiped out in local contests during Barack Obama’s presidency, and then Republicans drew legislative districts to their own advantage after the 2010 census and reapportionment.

Since then, Democrats have sought to direct more money to state-level races. Last year, more than $40 million was spent on an election for a single seat on the Wisconsin Supreme Court.

Control of Senate in Play

The most expensive nonpresidential races in 2024 will be the contests that determine control of the Senate — elections in Arizona, Montana, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin — but many millions more will be directed toward competitive House districts.

The party’s state legislative campaign arm intends to spend $10 million on key races, a fraction of Democratic investment in just one of the most competitive Senate contests. There are few expensive races for governor this year beyond the election to replace Democratic North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper.

Related Story: In First Sit-Down Interview of Her Presidential Campaign, Harris Says ‘My ...

“The vice president believes that this race is about mobilizing the entire country, in races at every level, to fight for our freedoms and our economic opportunity,” said Jen O’Malley Dillon, Harris’ campaign chair. “Democrats win when we fight together.”

Harris’ running mate, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, was until last month the chair of the Democratic Governors Association.

The Harris campaign has been swimming in cash since the vice president replaced President Joe Biden as the party’s presidential nominee. It said it raised $82 million during the week of the Democratic National Convention, and $540 million over the first month Harris was a candidate.

–

This article originally appeared in The New York Times.

By Reid J. Epstein/Kristian Thacker
c. 2024 The New York Times Company