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Harris’ high-stakes veepstakes: Fundraising powerhouses vie for VP slot
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After Vice President Kamala Harris assumed first position in the campaign and locked down enough presumed support from delegates to become the Democratic nominee for president, speculation quickly turned to who might join her at the top of the ticket.
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Pro-crypto super PACs pouring tens of millions into 2024 elections
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Former president Donald Trump’s selection of Sen. J.D. Vance (R-Ohio), as his running mate is expected to turbocharge the cryptocurrency industry’s spending in the 2024 election cycle.
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Drag queens unite to form political action committee ahead of 2024 election
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A new political action committee is stomping the runway, bringing together some of the biggest names in drag to push back against anti-LGBTQ legislation and politicians. Through a flurry of social media posts on platforms like Instagram, TikTok and X, the PAC has begun a campaign to raise funds ahead of the November election.
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Chart of the Week
Dive deeper into the data behind the headlines
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What to Know
Many of Harris’ potential vice presidential picks are largely the same as those who were floated to replace President Biden. Most are also record-setting fundraisers, something that could prove imperative in the final months before Election Day. The last presidential election set a new record with contributions totaling more than double totals from the prior presidential cycle.
By the Numbers
Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker's campaign war chest has broken records but the source of those funds is a bit different than some other veepstakes contenders.
Over the course of his two gubernatorial runs, Pritzker’s campaigns took in over $335.6 million, $323.6 million of which was self-funded from Pritzker’s own pockets. This marked the first time that an Illinois gubernatorial campaign attracted hundreds of millions of dollars and secured Pritzker’s spots for the most fundraised gubernatorial campaigns in Illinois history, according to OpenSecrets data.
Sen. Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.) has a strong fundraising record as well. His 2020 U.S. Senate special election campaign ranks seventh among the highest-funded races in congressional history, totalling $99.9 million raised for the cycle, according to OpenSecrets data.
Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro raised more money for his 2022 campaign than any other candidate running in the state’s gubernatorial election in the last 20 years. Between runs for state representative, attorney general and governor, Shapiro has raised more than $90.6 million throughout his political career.
Dig Deeper
As the list of possible running mates ebbs and flows, not everyone floated as a potential Biden replacement is up for the vice presidency. Some are disinterested, while others may not be able to easily join the ticket.
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OpenSecrets in the News
See our media citations from outlets around the nation this week:
Mike Pence will get $720,000 of taxpayer funds for his failed presidential campaign (The Independent) [[link removed]]
Former Vice President Mike Pence is set to receive a total of $717,373 from taxpayer funds — certified by the Federal Election Commission (FEC) — for his campaign for the Republican presidential nomination last year. The FEC had previously certified a $100,000 payment in federal funds for Pence’s campaign in May, and has today confirmed that it will authorize an additional $617,373. An FEC representative confirmed that this number could still increase. According to OpenSecrets, the Pence campaign had amassed a debt of $1.3 million as of May this year.
Harris VP short list stacked with contenders who can raise big money (CNBC) [[link removed]]
Kelly’s 2022 reelection campaign raised almost $90 million, with employees from Microsoft, Apple, Amazon, AT