Some Republican-aligned lawyers claim she can’t touch the millions that had been raised for the president’s 2024 bid
Vice President Kamala Harris, who has been tapped by US President Joe Biden to run in his place, has no authority to control funds raised by his election campaign, the Washington Post (WaPo) has reported, citing finance lawyers for the Republican Party (GOP). An attempt to use the money could result in a lawsuit, the publication added.
After announcing his withdrawal from the US presidential election race on Sunday, Biden endorsed Harris, his running mate, to replace him on the ballot. His campaign committee quickly filed paperwork with the Federal Election Commission (FEC) for the campaign to be re-designated as “Harris for President.”
According to WaPo, Democratic lawyers and operatives have argued that installing Harris as the nominee was the easiest solution for the party, as her name is already on the paperwork, and the money was raised for Harris, alongside Biden, meaning that she is allowed to use it. As of the end of June, the Biden campaign reported having $95 million in its coffers.
Another option under the campaign legislation would be to refund the money to donors. Any new presidential candidates would have to launch their fundraising campaigns from scratch, as just over three months are left until the election.
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According to GOP-aligned campaign finance lawyers, the Biden campaign does not have the legal authority to appoint Harris and give her control of the funds. The step “is all but certain” to be challenged before the FEC or in court, they argue, as cited by WaPo.
Prominent GOP campaign finance lawyer Charlie Spies told the publication that both Biden and Harris would have to have been officially nominated by the Democratic Party at its convention next month before any kind of funding handoff could occur.