Anti-Trump Republicans raise over $35 million to help Harris

A national group known as Republican Voters Against Trump (RVAT) has raised over $35 million to defeat GOP nominee Donald Trump in the upcoming November elections, according to recent reports.

The group, which set a $50-million campaign goal in March, aims to aid the Democrats in maintaining control of the White House, Caliber.Az reports, citing foreign media.

This fundraising effort marks a significant increase from the approximately $10 million raised for the 2020 election when RVAT was initially formed.

In comparison, pro-Trump groups have raised at least $574 million, and Vice President Kamala Harris has amassed over $770 million since taking over as the Democratic nominee. Despite this, RVAT's fundraising underscores ongoing conservative discontent with Trump as the election approaches, with polls indicating a tightly contested race.

RVAT, led by conservative strategist Sarah Longwell and co-founded by Bill Kristol and Tim Miller, recently launched an $11-million advertising campaign targeting key swing states including Arizona, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, and Nebraska’s 2nd Congressional District. This campaign is described by Longwell as the "opening salvo" in a larger push to support the Harris campaign.

The group has received more than 6,200 donations from all 50 states, ranging from small contributions to seven-figure sums. "We have a broad and robust donor base of supporters from around the country who want to protect democracy," said RVAT spokesperson Tony Franquiz.

In response, the Trump campaign dismissed RVAT's impact, with national press secretary Karoline Leavitt stating, "Kamala Harris is weak, failed, and dangerously liberal. A vote for her is a vote for higher taxes, inflation, open borders, and war." Leavitt emphasized Trump's campaign's message of prioritizing America first as resonating with a diverse range of Americans.

Another group, Vote Common Good, is also targeting traditionally Republican-leaning voters. Founded in 2018, the group focuses on evangelical and Catholic voters in swing states, having raised $1.2 million since January 1, 2024. Its messaging highlights concerns over Christian nationalism and the January 6 Capitol riot. "It's not a personal thing with Donald Trump," said Vote Common Good executive director Doug Pagitt. "It's what he represents and what he said—both on policy, but more so on the approach of what political power should do."

Despite increased evangelical support for Trump from 78% in 2016 to 81% in 2020, these efforts illustrate the ongoing and diverse attempts to influence the upcoming election.