'The floodgates will open': Democratic donors energized by Kamala Harris' run

The Democratic money machine is back in business.

Hours after President Joe Biden made the extraordinary decision to step aside in the presidential campaign and back Vice President Kamala Harris instead, large and small donors began digging back into their pockets.

ActBlue, the leading Democratic online donation processor, reported that donors gave $46.7 million in small-dollar donations through the platform for the day by 9 p.m. Eastern. It was already ActBlue's biggest day of 2024 with hours left to go.

But that isn't all. Much more is expected to flow in and is already being pledged by large-dollar donors, too.

“The floodgates will open,” Chris Korge, finance chair for the Biden Victory Fund, told NBC News. “There’s been a lot of people holding back contributions that will now contribute because the whole thing — that whole situation was paralyzing our fundraising.”

Korge said he was getting calls all day from major donors who were moved by Biden’s decision. Some even cried, he said.

“People are emotional because they knew how hard it was to make this decision after doing an incredible job,” Korge said. “Major donors are incredibly receptive of his endorsement and are genuinely excited. I think this is going to create a tidal wave of donations.”

On Sunday, ActBlue posted news of the money flow on its X account. Some of that money is going to other Democratic groups and campaigns, but Harris' ascension was the catalyst — and her campaign was most likely the overwhelming beneficiary.

“Small-dollar donors raise over $27.5 million on ActBlue in the first 5 hours of Vice President Kamala Harris’ presidential campaign,” the post on X said. “Grassroots supporters are energized and excited to support her as the