Harris campaign reports spending nearly three times as much as Trump in August

WASHINGTON – Ms Kamala Harris’ election campaign spent nearly three times as much money as her rival Donald Trump did in August, pressing the Democrat’s financial advantage ahead of the Nov 5 presidential election, according to financial disclosures filed on Sept 20.

The two campaigns are entering the final stretch of an extremely tight presidential contest.

Ms Harris, the US Vice-President who launched her campaign in July when

President Joe Biden ended his own re-election bid

and endorsed her, disclosed to the Federal Election Commission spending of US$174 million (S$224.57 million) in August.

Former Republican President Trump’s campaign separately reported outlays of US$61 million.

While Ms Harris’ financial advantage will help her blanket airwaves with television ads through the election, it might not deliver victory.

The two candidates are neck-and-neck in many polls, including in battleground states that could determine the winner.

In the 2016 presidential contest,

Trump defeated Mrs Hillary Clinton

despite raising less money than the Democrat.

In August, Ms Harris and Trump said most of their spending was on ads, with smaller sums paying for rallies, travel and campaign staff salaries.

Ms Harris’ campaign also reported making a US$75,000 donation to the Detroit Unity Fund, a non-profit that works to increase Black voter turnout in Michigan, a major battleground in 2024’s election.

Ms Harris’ entry into the race, just weeks after

Mr Biden performed poorly in a debate against Trump

, fuelled a surge in donations to her campaign, which ended August with US$235 million, just over what it had at the beginning of the month.

The Trump campaign drew down on its balance, ending August with US$135 million, about US$17 million less than at the start of the month.

Ms Harris and Trump had previously announced fundraising totals for the month that included the accounts of their political parties.

For their official campaign reports to the Federal Election Commission, Ms Harris reported raising US$190 million during August and Trump reported taking in US$45 million. REUTERS