Kamala Harris’ Campaign Debt Is Still Causing Big Problems for the Democratic Party
The Democratic National committee (DNC) is facing significant financial challenges ahead of the midterm elections, trailing the Republican National Committee (RNC) due to lingering debt from Kamala HarrisS 2024 presidential campaign and lack of enthusiasm among donors. While the RNC holds $86 million in cash reserves after raising $10.7 million in September, the DNC has only $12 million on hand from $10.3 million raised and continues to pay off more than $20 million related to Harris’s costly and short-lived campaign.
This financial strain is compounded by internal divisions within the DNC between its progressive and moderate factions, as well as frustration from donors unhappy with the party’s leadership and direction. Efforts by figures like David Hogg to reshape the party caused internal conflict and led to his removal from a DNC vice chair position. Additionally, some top Democrats have withheld support from progressive candidates like Zohran Mamdani, leading to further tensions.
Despite struggles at the national committee level, Democratic House and Senate campaign committees are performing better financially than their republican counterparts, and many major donors are opting to support individual candidates rather than the DNC itself. Notable candidates like Abigail Spanberger and Mikie Sherrill are raising significant funds, while the party invests heavily in redistricting efforts in states like California. the DNC is navigating a period of financial difficulty and internal discord ahead of critical upcoming elections.
The Democratic National Committee is heading into the midterm cycle at a steep financial disadvantage versus Republicans, hamstrung by lingering debt from former Vice President Kamala Harris’s 2024 presidential campaign and lackluster donor enthusiasm.
The Republican National Committee brought in $10.7 million in September and holds $86 million in cash reserves, according to the latest fundraising totals released this week. By contrast, the DNC raised $10.3 million and had just $12 million on hand.
Part of the challenge stems from debt left hanging after Harris’s failed presidential bid, which burned through $1.5 billion in an astonishingly short 107 days.
The DNC paid $1.6 million in September alone to cover campaign obligations, bringing its total repayments tied to Harris’s campaign to more than $20 million, according to Axios.
The fundraising gap underscores deep frustration among donors with the DNC’s direction.
Earlier this year, most top donors snubbed a San Francisco fundraiser featuring Harris, forcing the party to scramble for a host and ultimately raising far less than expected, people familiar with the event told The Wall Street Journal.
The DNC has also struggled with internal turmoil since its crushing presidential defeat, split between its progressive wing and more moderate members.
David Hogg, a gun-control activist elected as one of the DNC’s vice chairs in February, faced backlash from other Democrats after proposing primary challenges against incumbent Democrats and was removed from his post in June.
Leaked audio from June revealed that DNC Chair Ken Martin questioned his own leadership abilities amid internal conflicts triggered by Hogg’s efforts, Politico first reported.
Meanwhile, some top Democratic officials have become increasingly upset with some of their party leaders, including Martin, for not doing enough to back Democratic Socialist Zohran Mamdani’s mayoral campaign in New York City, Axios reported.
Key figures such as House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer have yet to endorse Mamdani, less than two weeks from Election Day.
Democratic House and Senate committees are outperforming the national party, with the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee outraising the National Republican Senatorial Committee by nearly $2 million in the third quarter of 2025.
Major Democratic donors are also channeling funds to individual candidates rather than the national committee.
Virginia gubernatorial candidate Abigail Spanberger and Mikie Sherrill in New Jersey have raised significant sums, while some Senate candidates in battleground states like Georgia are reporting strong fundraising results. Democrats have also poured considerable resources into efforts to redraw California’s congressional maps.
The DNC did not respond to the Daily Caller News Foundation’s request for comment.
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