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Democrats raised more than $ 31 million ($ 45.8 million) in the hours following the death of Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, demonstrating how the death of the liberal American icon and the controversial fight for the looming nomination has already galvanized the party base.
The staggering sum was raised on Saturday noon after news of his death broke on Friday morning (Saturday morning, NZT), according to a donation indicator on the website of ActBlue, the fundraising platform for online party funds.
The 2020 campaign, which will decide control of the White House and Senate, had already delivered record fundraising totals for Democrats, a sign of motivation within the party to rebuke US President Donald Trump, the election day.
But Ginsburg’s death gave the campaign new impetus, particularly after Trump and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell pledged to move on to find new justice.
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* The Supreme Court of the United States says that Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg died at the age of 87.
* US Supreme Court Justice Ruth Ginsburg chooses New Zealand over Trump
That would further tilt the court in a conservative direction, with far-reaching implications for the fate of abortion access, environmental regulations, and healthcare.
J. Scott Applewhite / AP
People gather at the United States Supreme Court the morning after the death of 87-year-old Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg on Saturday.
Democratic rivals to Republican senators were one of the main recipients of the cash flow.
A group of Democratic strategists raising money through an effort called “Get Mitch or Die Trying,” which shares donations among Democratic Senate contenders, reported that within hours of Ginsburg’s death, they nearly doubled what they had previously raised.
“In tribute to the extraordinary life of Judge Ginsberg, I am matching donations to this fund up to $ 10,000 tonight,” he tweeted. Grey’s Anatomy showrunner Krista Vernoff.
Cliff Owen / AP
In this 2014 file photo, Ruth Bader Ginsburg is seen in her camera at the Supreme Court in Washington.
Another Senate-focused Democratic fundraising push specifically mentions Ginsburg’s legacy.
“At this time it is vital to donate to the Senate candidates,” reads an ActBlue fundraising page called “Protecting the RBG Legacy.”
“It is time to apply maximum pressure to do the right thing and refuse to vote to confirm before the 2020 elections.”
J. Scott Applewhite / AP
People gather in the United States Supreme Court the morning after the death of 87-year-old Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg.
A representative for ActBlue did not respond to a request for comment on Saturday. A spokesperson for WinRed, ActBlue’s Republican counterpart, also did not respond to a request for comment.
Democrats weren’t the only ones raising the specter of the upcoming Senate nomination fight while raising money.
In Iowa, vulnerable Republican Senator Joni Ernst sent appeals to raise funds shortly after Ginsburg’s death was announced, prompting a swift reaction online.
“BREAKING: The future of the Supreme Court is at stake,” read the subject line of Ernst’s fundraising email.
“Our conservative values and constitutional rights are now at stake,” the email read. “The next candidate for the Supreme Court will shape important decisions for decades to come.”
Ernst then apologized.
“This email should never have been sent,” he said in a statement. “Although I never saw it, it was sent in my name and I take responsibility for it. Tonight, my prayers are with Judge Ginsburg’s family. “
Alex Brandon / AP
Flowers and light candy in front of the United States Supreme Court in Washington, after the Supreme Court announced that Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg died of metastatic pancreatic cancer.
On Saturday, the Trump campaign also texted a fundraising request to supporters.
“Pres. Trump will fill the vacancy on the Supreme Court with a conservative judge, ”the message read. “Make America Great Again!”
