Vice President Kamala Harris is harnessing her deep connections in California, particularly in Silicon Valley, to bolster her bid for the White House. Over the weekend, she headlined a major fundraiser in San Francisco, raising over $13 million from a crowd of nearly 700 attendees, including influential tech leaders and Hollywood figures. The event, held at the upscale Fairmont Hotel, featured prominent donors like LinkedIn co-founder Reid Hoffman and former Disney Chairman Jeffrey Katzenberg.
Harris’s strong ties to California, where she was born and began her political career, are emerging as a key pillar of support. Her campaign reported a fundraising surge, collecting $310 million in July alone, driven largely by grassroots donations and her West Coast base.
As Harris aims to build a formidable war chest, she faces attacks from Donald Trump’s campaign, which has labeled her a “San Francisco radical.” Despite this, Harris’s connections in Silicon Valley, including tech investors who see her as an ally, are proving invaluable. Notably, venture capitalist Leslie Feinzaig launched an initiative, VCs for Kamala, that quickly garnered support from major tech figures, reflecting the region’s growing political influence.
In addition to the fundraiser, Harris has been tapping into various tech sectors, including a recent cybersecurity conference in Las Vegas, where 150 hackers pledged $150,000 to her campaign. With her family’s involvement in tech—such as her niece Meena Harris’s previous roles at Facebook and Uber—Harris is poised to leverage this network as she navigates the 2024 election.
As her campaign gains momentum, Harris’s ability to rally Silicon Valley could be a decisive factor in her electoral strategy.
