This is the amount that Kamala Harris and Donald Trump have raised for the elections

US elections are around the corner and every move of the major candidates is being closely watched. One aspect that always attracts attention is the amount of money raised by candidates, as long election campaigns represent a major economic challenge for political parties.

Vice President Kamala Harris has raised significantly more money than Donald Trump for the 2024 election, according to the latest campaign finance report. Harris campaign raised more than $1 billion by SeptemberAnd reports indicate that the total amount exceeds $1.6 billion when the Democratic National Committee and related entities are taken into account. This data assumes Trump’s fundraisingwhich though is sufficient, Reaching nearly $700 million in October.

In fact, in recent months, the gap has widened: Harris’s campaign raised nearly $361 million in September alone, while Trump’s totaled $160 million in September. Despite his strong base of small donors, Trump remains behind Harris, with significant Democratic contributions, especially in battleground states. Both campaigns are using these funds to provide extensive media and outreach coverage in key areas.

Some examples of large donors to the Democratic Party are michael bloombergwho have donated $43.7 million or george soros and his son alex sorosWho, through his nonprofit, has donated $60 million to a Harris-aligned super PAC.

In the case of the Republican Party, it is financially supported by timothy mellonMellon, heir to the banking fortune, who has invested more than $172 million in the campaign, and Las Vegas Sands (Las Vegas casino group) mogul. miriam adelsonWho has donated Rs 134.8 million.

Why do American election campaigns raise money?

American election campaigns require significant investment to effectively reach voters. This money is spent on several key aspects:

1. media advertising: Television, radio, Internet and print media are essential to conveying campaign messages, and advertising is usually one of the most expensive items, especially in key states or “swing states”, where competition is tight.

2. Events and voter mobilization: Organizing rallies, events and tours in different states helps the candidates to strengthen their presence and connect with the citizens. These events require money for logistics, rentals, security and technical equipment.

3. campaign staff: Campaigns require large, specialized teams in communications, public relations, data analysis and more. They also employ volunteers and campaign workers in each state, the costs of which cover salaries, travel and other benefits.

4. digital communication strategies: Social networks and digital platforms are becoming increasingly important. The financing makes it possible to hire digital marketing experts and cover the costs of segmented advertising on the network, making it easier to reach specific audiences with personalized messages.

5. Administrative and legal expenses: Campaigns include administrative costs (office, equipment, technology) and legal expenses, such as compliance with campaign finance rules established by the Federal Election Commission.

These resources are critical to compete in an environment where elections are long and complex. Additionally, they allow candidates to spread their message and increase their visibility, which is important for a country as large and diverse as the United States.