Former Fundraiser Claims Secret 2024 Poll Ranked Kamala Harris Last
Former Democratic fundraiser Lindy Li claims an internal 2024 poll ranked Kamala Harris last among potential nominees against Donald Trump, but party leaders ignored the data.
A dramatic revelation has shed light on the political drama that unfolded behind closed doors within the Democratic Party ahead of the 2024 United States presidential election. Lindy Li, a former senior fundraiser for Joe Biden and Kamala Harris, claims that an internal deep-dive poll conducted even before Biden's withdrawal tested a series of alternative candidates to run against Donald Trump and ranked Harris last. According to her testimony, party leaders decided to ignore the data and place her at the top of the ticket out of fear of a heavy political price and severe backlash from the party's core base.
The Secret Poll and Alternative Candidates
In an interview with Fox News, against the backdrop of the release of her new book, Unburdened, Li shared that the poll was commissioned to examine which Democratic leaders held the best chances of defeating Trump should Biden step down. Alongside Harris, the assessment included former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, California Governor Gavin Newsom, and Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer.
According to Li, the result was unequivocal and embarrassing for the vice president: "Kamala Harris came in last place, it wasn't even close." She added that even Buttigieg, who recorded virtually zero support among Black voters in that same poll, ranked ahead of her. However, the raw poll data, sample size, and exact methodology have not been made public.
Fear of Backlash and the K-Hive
Li stated that the numbers stood in stark contrast to the narrative party leaders wished to promote. The Democratic leadership harbored deep concerns that bypassing Harris would lead to an irreversible rift with Black women voters—a crucial electoral anchor for the party. Beyond that, she argues that figures in the leadership were deterred by the reaction of Harris's online activist network, known as the K-Hive, and feared that any attempt to parachute another candidate in would invite accusations of racism. The combination of her formal status and control over the donor apparatus effectively made her an untouchable figure.
Kamala Harris came in last place, it wasn't even close.
These disclosures add to another claim raised by Li, according to which on July 19, 2024—just two days before Biden announced his withdrawal—Harris still assured donors in a private call that she stood behind the president and remained committed to his continued candidacy. Hours after the official withdrawal announcement, Harris swiftly pivoted to mobilizing donors and delegates to secure the nomination for herself. Ultimately, Harris ran against Trump in November 2024, lost the race, and Trump returned to the White House. Li, who has since left the party ranks, is now publishing her version of events, while representatives for Harris declined to respond to the allegations.
