In western Mass., Harris raises about $1.5M at first fundraiser of her presidential campaign

On a visit to western Massachusetts on Saturday, Vice President Kamala Harris held her first fundraiser since becoming the likely Democratic presidential nominee.

About 750 people filled the historic Colonial Theatre to hear from Harris, as well as musicians Yo Yo Ma and James Taylor — who introduced the vice president.

"May our ardent support be the wind in her sails," Taylor said. "Our hopes go with her and she stands for us all. It is my privilege, honor and great pleasure to introduce the next president of the United States, Vice President Kamala Harris."

The fundraising event, planned well before President Joe Biden's announcement last Sunday that he was dropping his presidential bid, raised about $1.5 million from more than 750 attendees, according to organizers. Tickets cost from $100 to more than $12,000.

In her remarks, Harris described for her supporters her vision for America's economy.

"A future that promotes both economic growth and economic fairness, where every person has the opportunity to compete, thrive and prosper," she said. "To build a business, to own a home and to build generational wealth."

Harris said former President Donald Trump's plans would reignite inflation and end the Affordable Care Act.

"And take us back to a time when insurance companies had the power to deny people with preexisting conditions. You guys remember what that was? And we are not going back. We are not going back," she said.

Harris said the 101 days before the election are "not going to be easy," and asked her supporters if they are "ready to get to work."

Outside the theater, Harris backers without tickets gathered.

Some, like Lisa Richards, held homemade signs.

"It says 'Cat Ladies for Kamala,'" said Richards, 60.

Across the street, Sabrina Stiles, 58, showed off her bracelet that said, "Kamala 2024"

"We don't want to go back. Like she says, no man should be able — no one should be able to tell a woman what to do with her body," Stiles said. "We're going to make herstory not history."

"So excited, so excited," said Theresa Daniels.

Daniels, 70, pushed a rollator walker to get near to the theater, saying nothing would stop her.

"The way she's sticking up for us, with women's rights, helping us and not the rich ones — the middle class," she said.

Supporters of Trump and independent candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. were also there, as well as people protesting U.S. support of the war in Gaza.

This story is a production of the New England News Collaborative. It was originally published by New England Public Media.