Vice President Kamala Harris Engages Donors at the Democratic National Convention

Donors Engage at the D.N.C.

Vice President Kamala Harris’s team was actively working the crowd in Chicago, aiming to solidify her appeal among influential donors. Although her acceptance speech lacked the intricate policy details that some analysts were hoping for, she delivered a broad vision for revitalizing an economy that appears to be losing momentum. “I will unite labor, workers, small-business owners, entrepreneurs, and American companies to create jobs,” she declared at the Democratic National Convention last night.

This acknowledgment of corporate America is particularly significant as Democrats strive to strengthen ties with the business sector. Throughout the week, DealBook has been reaching out to donors to gather their insights on the four-day convention.

Chicago Convention Attracts Major Donors

A surge of donors decided to attend the event only after Harris was declared the presumptive nominee. Their presence made a substantial impact, with the event’s host committee announcing a record-breaking $95 million raised, primarily from sponsorship packages that offered prime seating and exclusive perks to those who contributed between $100,000 and $5 million.

Among the attendees were some of the party’s most prominent Wall Street figures, including:

• Brad Karp, chairman of the law firm Paul, Weiss
• Raymond McGuire, president of Lazard
• Blair Effron, co-founder of Centerview Partners
• John Rogers Jr., founder of Ariel Investments

Harris’s Supporters Champion Her Economic Stewardship

Supporters of Harris contended that she would be a reliable steward of the economy. This narrative was reinforced through numerous private meetings and social events held during the convention, where they aimed to portray her as a steady and competent leader in contrast to the unpredictability that a second Trump administration might entail.

Wall Street insiders also engaged in their favorite pastime of speculating about Harris’s potential choice for Treasury Secretary. One frequently mentioned candidate was Gina Raimondo, the current commerce secretary. Other names surfaced, including Jamie Dimon of JPMorgan Chase. However, some donors expressed concerns about whether Senator Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts would ever endorse a banker for such a pivotal role.