US Vice-President Kamala Harris launched her presidential campaign with a fiery attack on her Republican rival Donald Trump, framing the election as a stark choice between a former prosecutor and a convicted felon. Addressing supporters in the key battleground state of Wisconsin on Tuesday, Harris emphasized her prosecutorial background, contrasting it sharply with Trump’s criminal record.
Harris, 59, highlighted her tenure as a tough prosecutor in California, recounting her efforts to take down predators who abused women, fraudsters who exploited consumers, and cheaters who broke the law for personal gain. “So hear me when I say, I know Donald Trump’s type,” she declared, underscoring her readiness to take on the former president.
Her rally came a day after she secured the backing of a majority of Democratic delegates, positioning her as the party’s presumptive nominee for the November 5 presidential election. This follows President Joe Biden’s recent decision to withdraw from the race and endorse Harris, which came amid growing pressure from top Democrats and donors after his poor debate performance against Trump last month.
Trump, 78, was convicted in May on 34 felony counts related to hush money payments to a former porn star. Harris, the daughter of a Jamaican father and an Indian mother, stated, “In this campaign, I promise you, I will proudly put my record against his any day of the week.”
Highlighting Wisconsin’s pivotal role in the upcoming election, Harris urged Milwaukee residents to rally behind her, reminding them of their critical support in the 2020 election. “The path to the White House goes through Wisconsin,” she said. “And in 2024, we will win again.”
Following Biden’s withdrawal, Harris’ campaign has seen a remarkable financial boost, raising a staggering USD 100 million between Sunday and Monday evening across all its fundraising committees. This surge in contributions, with over 1.1 million donors and 62% of them being first-time givers, far surpasses the USD 53 million raised by Trump’s political operation post his May conviction.
With the Democratic National Convention just weeks away, Harris is focused on uniting the party and preparing for her showdown with Trump, making it clear that she is ready to take on the former president head-to-head.
