Harris and Trump Compete for California Donations as Election Heats Up

U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump are vying for California's massive donor base, pushing the fundraising race into a fierce stage ahead of the upcoming election. At a high-dollar fundraiser in San Francisco, Harris described the tight competition as one in which she is running as an underdog, according to Bloomberg. She also took aim at Trump’s stance on health care and reproductive rights, calling them "extremely serious" concerns.The fundraiser saw ticket prices reaching up to $926,600, with donors contributing at least $100,000 eligible for a photo with Harris, while those giving more than $250,000 were invited to a luncheon. This intense push for funds in California reflects both candidates’ strategy to secure financial backing from one of the most lucrative donor pools in the country.Harris has a current edge over Trump in terms of both fundraising and spending, as she courts the business community with an emphasis on responsible AI regulation. Meanwhile, Trump continues to gather hundreds of millions from nationwide donors. California's lieutenant governor noted that both events were nearly sold out, underlining the competition's intensity.While neither Harris nor Trump is actively campaigning in California, both frequently visit the state to leverage its influential donor base, making it a key battleground for campaign contributions.