I wanted to be sure you heard this from me directly.

At the bottom of this email is a memo about the reorganization of our campaign, and I invite you to read it in full. But here’s the gist:

We’ve got less than 100 days until Iowa. If we’re going to have a fighting chance in this race, we need to reduce expenditures, realign our resources, and raise more money.

I don’t share this with you to scare you -- and no, this is not a gimmick. These are the real consequences of the fundraising challenges we’re facing in a primary race that’s this crowded.

I share this with you today because this is your campaign. From the day we launched our campaign back in Oakland to now, you’ve built this campaign from the ground up.

All of what we’ve achieved so far was made possible because hundreds of thousands of grassroots supporters like you have contributed a few dollars at a time.

Because you stepped up to organize your own communities, bring new people into the fold, and fight for the future of our democracy.

We need you again today. If you believe in Kamala, I’m asking you directly: rush your first donation to our campaign to help us »

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You joined this fight because you believed in our mission, in our values, and in Kamala Harris.

We know that other candidates in this race have threatened to drop out if they don’t hit fundraising goals. We’re not going to do that. We’re just going to be transparent and honest. And right now, our #1 priority is putting us on a path to be successful in Iowa and win the nomination.

The stakes of this election are too high for us to back down. America needs real change, and real leadership. We need to elect Kamala Harris. And I believe in the very fiber of my being that she can win this race.

There is a pathway to victory, and we know Kamala will pull this off. But we’ll only get there with your support.

Thank you,

— Juan

Juan Rodriguez
Campaign Manager
Kamala 2020

TO: Kamala Harris for the People Team, Supporters, & Interested Parties
FROM: Juan Rodriguez, Campaign Manager
MEMO: Next Steps & Organization Realignment

With fewer than 100 days until the Iowa Caucus and in a competitive resources environment, we are implementing an organizational realignment to go all-in on Iowa.

Since the launch of the campaign, Kamala Harris and this team has raised more than $35 million from over 350,000 donors, with an average contribution of $34. We ended the last quarter with the fourth most cash on hand, and continue to receive endorsements and grassroots support across the country. However, in a field of 18 candidates, we face an incredibly competitive resource environment. To effectively compete with the top campaigns and make the necessary investments in the critical final 100 days to the caucus, we need to reduce expenditures elsewhere and realign resources.

From the beginning of this campaign, Kamala Harris and this team set out with one goal - to win the nomination and defeat Donald Trump in 2020. This requires us to make difficult strategic decisions and make clear priorities, not threaten to drop out or deploy gimmicks. Plenty of winning primary campaigns, like John Kerry’s in 2004 and John McCain’s in 2008, have had to make tough choices on their way to the nomination, and this is no different.

Reduction in HQ expenditures to bolster Iowa investments: First, to reduce campaign expenditures, I will take a pay cut along with all consultants, we will trim and renegotiate contracts, and we will also reduce the size of our headquarters staff. These decisions are difficult but will ensure the campaign is positioned to execute a robust Iowa ground game and a minimum 7-figure paid media campaign in the weeks leading up to the caucus.
Deployment of staff to Iowa: Second, in the coming weeks, we will deploy many field staff from New Hampshire, Nevada, and California and some staff from headquarters to Iowa for the home stretch of the caucus campaign. The South Carolina operation will remain in full force and will not change. These moves will increase the number of field organizers and staff we have on the ground in the first contest and give our campaign the organizational muscle needed to compete in every precinct.
Kamala all-in on Iowa: In the month of October, no candidate spent more time in Iowa than Kamala -- she made 5 trips and spent 15 days in the Hawkeye State -- about 10 more days than any other candidate. In November, she will continue to spend significant time in Iowa, including spending Thanksgiving there, to meet caucus goers at town halls and in coffee shops, on farms and at dining room tables. She is determined to earn the support of every caucus goer she can in the next 96 days.

P.S. We have just 36 hours left until we close the books on our October new donor goal. I know we can win, but we need supporters like you who believe in Kamala to step up and make their first donation today. We can do this, but we need you on the team. Donate now »