Kamala Harris Announces Huge $2.5M Fundraising Haul for ’16 Senate Race

California attorney general Kamala Harris (D) on Monday reported raising $2.5 million in her bid for outgoing Sen. Barbara Boxer’s seat in 2016.

Harris, who became the first to enter the race for Boxer’s seat in January, had about $2.2 million cash on hand by the end of the March 31 reporting deadline, according to the Sacramento Bee. As of early April, she remains the only major Democrat to have announced a run for Boxer’s seat.

“We are well on our way toward building a strong grassroots campaign that will reach every community of California,” Harris said in a statement.

According to the Associated Press, Harris raised $1.6 million in March alone, an average of roughly $50,000 per day. Of the 6,500 donations Harris received, nearly 5,000 consisted of contributions of $100 or less, the campaign announced.

The attorney general has held a number of high-profile fundraisers in California and Washington, racking up support from Hollywood industry figures like television producer Chuck Lorre, Showtime president David Nevins, and Childrens Defense Fund director Carol Biondi. Harris also nabbed an endorsement from the influential pro-choice Emily’s List PAC.

It is unlikely Harris will remain the only Democrat in the race for Boxer’s seat much longer, although she will likely remain the front-runner; according to the Bee, other potential candidates considering runs include Reps. Adam Schiff (D-Burbank), Xavier Becerra (D-Los Angeles) and Loretta Sanchez (D-Santa Ana).

Presumptive Democrat candidates Antonio Villaraigosa and Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom have announced they will not seek Boxer’s Senate seat. Newsom will run for governor in 2018.

On the Republican side, Assemblyman Rocky Chavez announced his candidacy in early March. He is the only Republican so far to have announced a bid for the open Senate seat.

A Field Poll taken in February among likely California voters found that former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice would be the front-runner for Boxer’s seat. Rice has not announced plans to run for the seat.