On Dec. 3, Senator Kamala Harris of California announced that she would be dropping out from the presidential race because poll numbers did not meet expectations, and there were difficulties obtaining money to continue campaigning. 

In an email forwarded to supporters of her presidential campaign, Senator Harris wrote, “In good faith, I can’t tell you, my supporters and volunteers, that I have a path forward if I don’t believe I do… So, to you my supporters, it is with deep regret — but also with deep gratitude — that I am suspending my campaign today.”

Her presidential campaign brought a focus to serious sociopolitical issues, covering topics such as homelessness, immigration, and the criminal justice system, as reported by USA Today. 

She had successfully raised over $12 million in her first three months of the presidential race, according to Fox News. However, as time progressed, she was unable to raise more funds to continue her competition against more popular candidates, including Senators Elizabeth Warren and Bernie Sanders. As of September, Senator Harris had raised $37 million in total; according to USA Today, this was “less than half the amount” Senator Sanders had raised. 

Many voters had initially expected Senator Harris to win when they saw her poll numbers skyrocket after her first debate against Joe Biden on desegregation busing in June. However, her time in the “top-tiers” seemed to be short-lived. According to Fox News, her July debate against the Hawaii Representative Tulsi Gabbard was viewed by Harris’ advisers as a speed boost to her gradually-slumping poll numbers.

This setback “won’t endanger her future political aspirations,” assured Bob Shrum, a former political consultant, to USA Today. 

In the same email announcing the end to her presidential bid, Senator Harris expressed, “Our campaign uniquely spoke to the experiences of black women and people of color—and their importance to the success and future of this party. Our campaign demanded no one should be taken for granted by any political party. We will keep up that fight because no one should be made to fight alone.”

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