Kamala Harris using DNC to help sell her new book
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Former Vice President Kamala Harris is trying to sell her upcoming book through the joint committee her campaign team ran with the Democratic National Committee.
- Last weekend, Harris' team sent a promotional email about the book, "107 Days," that was paid for by the Harris Victory Fund — a collaboration between her presidential campaign, the DNC and state Democratic parties.
Why it matters: Harris is a potential 2028 presidential candidate, and the party apparatus is supposed to be neutral in how it deals with possible contenders.
- It's unclear how the DNC will approach books by other potential 2028 candidates.
- Democratic operatives and some activists are watching the DNC closely because they believe the committee unfairly interfered in the last several presidential primary seasons to either stop Sen. Bernie Sanders' campaign or block any serious challenge to then-President Biden.
State of play: In an email with the subject line "107 Days," the former vice president wrote: "Since leaving office, I've spent a lot of time thinking about our presidential campaign: what I saw, what I learned, and what I know it will take to move forward."
- "I've compiled it in a book called '107 Days,' " she wrote.
- She linked to a short video trailer of her explaining the book that also includes a link to preorder it before its Sept. 23 release.
- She did not solicit donations for the Democratic Party. The bottom of the email reads: "Paid for by Harris Victory Fund, a joint fundraising committee authorized by Harris for President, the Democratic National Committee and the State Democratic Parties," after which it lists dozens of states.
What they're saying: A DNC spokesperson said the committee did not send the Harris email and referred Axios to her team.
- "The Federal Election Commission has advised that a candidate may only use their campaign list to promote their book if they personally reimburse the committee for the list's fair market value," said longtime campaign finance expert Brendan Fischer.
- Kirsten Allen, a Harris senior adviser, told Axios: "We are aware of FEC guidance on the matter and use of the list adheres with that guidance."
Between the lines: Harris has kept open her campaign's joint fund with the DNC 10 months after the election to continue raising money and pay off debts the campaign and the DNC built up during the 2024 campaign.
- The Victory Fund raised $7.2 million during the first six months of this year and transferred $5.5 million to the DNC in that period, according to filings with the FEC.
- Harris also has kept open the Harris for President committee. It raised $6.7 million over the first six months of the year, but that committee wasn't used to promote Harris' book. It has continued to pay some staff — including campaign chair Jen O'Malley Dillon — as it has continued its work.
- Campaign finance specialists say the Victory Fund email list likely would be more robust because it is pooled from the various committees, and Harris inherited it from Biden after he dropped out of the presidential race in July 2024.
