Biden campaign, Democrats boast $77 million war chest for 2024

President Biden, the Democratic Party, and other fundraisers have amassed a “historic” $77 million war chest for the 2024 election, the incumbent’s campaign announced Friday.

The 80-year-old president, the Democratic National Committee and their joint fundraising committees raised $72 million in the second quarter of 2023, according to the Biden campaign, which touted its re-election message that he and Vice President Kamala Harris are prepared to “finish the job” in a second term.

“We’ve seen incredible enthusiasm for President Biden and Vice President Harris’ agenda, including their commitment to restoring democracy, fighting for more freedoms and growing the economy by growing the middle class,” Biden campaign manager Julie Chavez Rodriguez said. “Since April over 394,000 donors have made over 670,000 contributions. 97% of all donations are under $200, and the average grassroots contribution was just $39.”

Biden has faced concerns about his readiness for the campaign grind following public stumbles at home and verbal gaffes about US policy abroad.

Critics have also noted voters’ confidence in Harris has been shaken by her frequently bizarre public appearances and lackluster approval ratings.

More voters have disapproved of the president and vice president than approved since the summer of 2021, polls show, with Americans particularly sour about the state of the economy.

The immense Democratic cash-on-hand total tops former President Donald Trump’s fundraising haul of $53.8 million in the first half of 2023.

Biden’s total fundraising also outstrips 2024 GOP presidential candidate and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis’ $20 million in campaign contributions.

During his successful 2020 campaign, Biden raked in more than $1 billion from supporters who boosted him into the White House, part of what was the most expensive election in history up to that point.