Will Donors Stick with Joe Biden? | Pivot

Instead of “rage donating” against high-profile villains, donors can use tools like Oath to identify competitive, high-stakes races where their money is likelier to change outcomes, especially in close state and local contests.

Many in the mid-tier donor class are halting direct contributions to Biden and moving money to Senate, House, and alternative efforts, using financial leverage to signal that they want a more viable nominee.

State legislatures and state supreme courts in places like Michigan, North Carolina, and Arizona shape redistricting, abortion access, voting rights, and gun laws—so protecting these seats can mitigate a poor presidential result.

He has already raised historic sums and won’t face an immediate cash crunch before the convention, but whether donor taps fully reopen afterward depends on if he emerges as the nominee and whether donors feel they have alternatives.

Trump’s fundraising is stronger than in 2020, driven by huge checks from billionaires and industry interests (e.g., oil executives), with clear signs he is tailoring his platform to please these donors.

There is little grassroots donor energy behind RFK Jr.; his viability on ballots depends on multimillion-dollar checks from his running mate and a small group of wealthy supporters with their own strategic interests.

After Biden’s debate performance, uncertainty is unavoidable through the convention, so the real decision for Democrats is whether to endure this turbulence to emerge with a new candidate or to double down on Biden and hope to survive November.