Harris Has Not Yet Disclosed Names Of Top Fundraisers, Breaking From Party Norm

Vice President Kamala Harris is the first Democratic presidential nominee in modern history not to disclose the names of her campaign’s top fundraisers, obfuscating a cadre of individuals who could serve in influential positions if she wins in November.

With the exception of Harris, Democratic presidential candidates have disclosed their bundlers, a term referring to individuals that organize and collect large sums of campaign contributions from other donors, in every presidential election since 2000, according to the New York Times. Harris’ apparent decision not to disclose important information about her backers follows the Democratic Party approving a national platform on Monday demanding greater transparency in campaign finance.

“Trust in democracy is critical to protecting democracy. Democrats will adopt ethics reforms to ensure every American can feel confident that their government is working for them, not for special interests,” the Democratic platform reads. “Democrats will create a federal ethics commission to strengthen good governance laws, like those requiring financial and lobbying disclosure.”

The Harris campaign has been showering bundlers with gifts during the Democratic National Convention, including free stays at the Ritz-Carlton and the Four Seasons, as well as an on-field visit to the Chicago Cubs’ Wrigley Field, the NYT reported.

Presidential bundlers also often secure high-level appointments and meetings with the candidate they are fundraising for, according to multiple outlets. Roughly one-third of President Joe Biden’s ambassador nominees as of January 2022 were campaign bundlers or their spouses, roughly consistent with the proportion nominated by presidents George W. Bush and Barack Obama,