A gathering of about 700 affluent Democratic supporters convened at San Francisco’s Fairmont hotel to witness Kamala Harris in her first appearance in the city since announcing her presidential campaign. The fundraiser attracted a diverse mix of tech moguls, executives, and venture capitalists from Silicon Valley, all eager to back the vice-president in her quest for the presidency. Tickets ranged from $3,300 to $500,000, with the event raising over $12 million.
Harris has cultivated strong relationships with key figures in the tech industry over the years, thanks to her previous roles as California’s attorney general and senator. While her stance on tech regulation remains unclear, her history has led many in the industry to believe she may take a more favorable approach compared to Joe Biden.
Notable tech Democrats supporting Harris include Sheryl Sandberg, Reid Hoffman, Melinda French Gates, Barry Diller, Ron Conway, and Laurene Powell Jobs. These influential figures have not only endorsed Harris but also contributed financially to her campaign, with some pushing for specific policies like the removal of FTC chair Lina Khan.
Despite criticisms of potential influence-peddling, Harris has garnered support from a wide range of venture capitalists and tech workers. The “VCs For Kamala” movement and Tech4Kamala open letter are just a few examples of the widespread backing Harris has received from the tech community.
2024-08-14 05:00:12
Link from www.theguardian.com