President Joe Biden is embarking on a three-day trip to California to bolster his reelection campaign's financial resources. The Biden campaign, along with the Democratic National Committee, announced a significant fundraising achievement, collecting $42 million in contributions from 422,000 donors in January. This brings the total cash on hand for the campaign to $130 million, the highest amount amassed by any Democratic candidate at this stage in the election cycle.
The campaign's success in fundraising has been described as a strong start to the election year by campaign manager Julie Chavez Rodriguez. She highlighted the unity within Team Biden-Harris compared to the Republican Party, which she noted is divided in its spending priorities.
The upcoming battle for reelection is expected to be fiercely contested and costly, particularly against former President Trump, who is likely to be the GOP's nominee. Biden's visit to California, including stops in Los Angeles and the San Francisco Bay area, aims to engage with Democratic donors and supporters.
This trip marks Biden's third visit to Southern California in just over two months, as he seeks to make up for lost time due to previous scheduling conflicts. The President will participate in fundraisers, campaign stops, and deliver a policy speech during his visit.
While the focus will be on engaging deep-pocketed donors, the campaign emphasizes the significance of smaller donations, with 97% of the 3 million contributions received being under $200 each. Additionally, Biden has garnered support from 158,000 sustaining donors who commit to monthly contributions.
The campaign's fundraising efforts are crucial for reaching voters and securing victory in the upcoming election. Biden's recent criticisms of Trump's foreign policy statements, particularly regarding NATO and Ukraine, have been highlighted in digital ads targeting battleground states.
Biden's commitment to upholding U.S. alliances and supporting Ukraine in its conflict with Russia has been a central theme of his recent remarks. The President's campaign is gearing up for a challenging race ahead, with a focus on mobilizing support and resources for the reelection bid.