What happens to Biden's campaign funds?

As of May 31, President Joe Biden had nearly $100 million in cash on hand for his reelection campaign. That money won't be lost now that he's officially off the ticket, according to election experts.

Jonathan Gordon

Jul 22, 2024, 4:39 PM

Updated 139 days ago

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As of May 31, President Joe Biden had nearly $100 million in cash on hand for his reelection campaign. That money won't be lost now that he's officially off the ticket, according to election experts.
Vice President Kamala Harris is the only Democratic presidential nominee who would have direct access to that money without needing to transfer it because her name was on the original campaign account. On Sunday, the Biden-Harris campaign formally amended filings with the Federal Election Commission to declare Harris as the primary candidate for president.
Nonprofit Ballotpedia staff writer Ellen Morrissey broke down how else the money could be redirected if someone other than Harris wins the nomination.
"That campaign committee could be turned into a Political Action Committee which still has some direct contribution limits, but they would be able to spend in other ways through independent expenditures," Morrissey said.
Several reports have indicated that Republicans are considering challenges either with the FEC or legally to block Harris' access to that money.
According to ActBlue, a major Democratic political action committee, small-dollar donors gave nearly $50 million in the seven hours after Harris' campaign launched.