Harris aims to open Silicon Valley checkbooks after tech donors had drifted to Trump
As Kamala Harris’ campaign looks to re-engage Democratic donors who held back support from President Joe Biden, it is finding renewed interest from a sector that has increasingly favored Donald Trump: Silicon Valley.
WASHINGTON — As Kamala Harris’ campaign looks to re-engage Democratic donors who held back support from President Joe Biden, it is finding renewed interest from a sector that has increasingly favored Donald Trump: Silicon Valley.
Democrats say the suggestion tech sector donors were moving toward Republicans was overstated. But they agree Harris — who started in politics in the Bay Area in California — has helped unlock support that was on the sidelines.
“The pivot that has occurred in the last three days is dramatic,” said Steve Westly, a venture capitalist and who ran for governor of California in 2006. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen such a surge of enthusiasm in any campaign I’ve been involved with.”
Biden administration accomplishments welcomed by tech industry voters include the CHIPS Act and a climate bill Westly called the “biggest green stimulus in human history.” Harris has a strong track record on issues that Silicon Valley donors care about, he said.
“She’s been out front on R&D tax credits and all the things that have supported [the industry] from the Internet to GPS. Trump is out there saying the most outlandish things imaginable,” he said, pointing to his criticism of green energy initiatives and electric vehicles. “The big picture is, most people in tech and most people in business want stability. They don’t want to see mobs attacking the Capitol.”
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