DENVER — On the first full day of Kamala Harris's presidential campaign, she solidified support from top Democrats, including picking up endorsements from former President Bill Clinton and former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi.
While Harris is not guaranteed the Democratic nomination, her campaign is off and running for both delegates at the Democratic National Convention and voters in November. Already, her campaign is shoring up support as donations roll in.
"She reaches out to not only the general population, but I think women and people of color are going to be exceptionally excited and ready to go, to work in this campaign," said Democrat Polly Baca, a Colorado delegate and former state lawmaker.
Baca is watching the energy build.
"It already is. There is so much," she said. "I've gotten emails and calls already from people excited about Kamala."
"It's been gathering steam very quickly," said Robert Preuhs, a professor and chair of political science at MSU Denver.
Preuhs said endorsements, momentum and fundraising he expected would take days is shoring up fast.
"Certainly, everybody seems on board by now," Preuhs said.
Harris' campaign on Monday said they brought in $81 million in just 24 hours.
"It's an impressive start. And those are a lot of small donors as well. So that’s just part of the puzzle," Preuhs said. "But small donors get excited about big events, and that’s what we’re seeing right now. But you also add big names like Emily's List, MoveOn.org that are also gathering funds that will end up helping the Harris campaign. So I think a lot of excitement. There was a dam built about with fundraising and I really think that dam broke as soon as Biden kind of left the nomination open."
Prior to Biden's withdrawal, former President Donald Trump, who'd been lagging behind in fundraising, had just caught up to their campaign. Now, Harris' massive one-day haul is setting them far ahead.
Her grassroots fundraising push, Preuhs said, is reminiscent of the energy former President Barack Obama brought to the election.
"It sure feels that way. And I think that gets to the point of really a lack of enthusiasm for Biden," Preuhs said.
While $81 million is a lot of money for a single day, Preuhs said a presidential campaign needs hundreds of millions of dollars to run.
And while it's unclear if that surge in interest will translate in the polls or at the ballot box, Preuhs said this sets her up for success at the DNC next month.
"I think that road is cleared for Kamala Harris," Preuhs said. "And it looks like delegates are already backing her. So, it's really hard to see a path forward for anybody else. And I think at this point, you don't want to be the Democratic elite that's asking for a chance to disrupt this moment of unity."
That energy and excitement is something delegates like Baca plan to take with them to the DNC in Chicago.
"I hope that we can all come together and support Kamala as our nominee," Baca said.