Vice President Kamala Harris has seen an outpouring of support from a tight-knit group of influential female donors in the Bay Area, who have long been by her side in Democratic politics. These loyalists have been working behind the scenes to ensure Harris's campaign for the Democratic nomination is well-prepared and formidable.

In recent weeks, as Harris's momentum grew even before President Biden's announcement, her supporters mobilized to rally endorsements, collect funds, and strategize against potential challengers. Their efforts paid off when Biden endorsed Harris on Sunday, solidifying her position as the highest-ranking female officeholder in the nation and attracting significant financial support.

However, not all major Democratic donors have immediately jumped on the Harris bandwagon. Former New York Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg and Silicon Valley leaders, including Reed Hastings and Vinod Khosla, are among those who called for a competitive process rather than pledging immediate support for Harris. They expressed concerns about challenging former President Donald J. Trump.

Despite the dissent from some major donors, Harris's steadfast allies are working diligently to silence any remaining doubts. They are organizing briefings and calls with donors, while also getting pro-Harris ads on television to maintain her momentum. Lauren Harper, from the Chicago fundraising chapter of "Women for Kamala", emphasized the enthusiasm among women from diverse backgrounds for Harris's candidacy.

Alexandra Acker-Lyons, a Democratic fundraiser from the Bay Area, was one of the first to collect pledges from prominent female Democratic donors in support of a Harris bid. Andrea Dew-Steele, a member of Harris's National Finance Committee, has been redirecting donors to groups like Emily's List in anticipation of Harris's campaign announcement.

If Harris secures the nomination, her rise to prominence would elevate her California female supporters, such as Dew-Steele and Acker-Lyons, to influential positions in the Democratic campaign-finance industry, which has traditionally been male-dominated.

Harris's network of supporters includes well-known figures like philanthropist Laurene Powell Jobs, a close friend of Harris for over a decade. Other major female donors, such as Karla Jurvetson and Susie Tompkins Buell, have pledged their support. Publicly, major donors expressed almost unanimous support for Harris's nomination, but behind closed doors, there were some donors exploring alternatives.

There have been discussions among these donors about creating a combined entity to support a non-Harris Democratic candidate, although the potential candidate remains uncertain. Gov. Gretchen Whitmer of Michigan was considered by some, but she publicly backed Harris on Monday. Senator Joe Manchin, Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo, and Representative Dean Phillips also received encouragement from these donors but ultimately seemed unlikely to enter the race.

To combat doubts and resistance, Harris's supporters aim to demonstrate her broad appeal through endorsements and high-dollar fundraising events. With access to the substantial funds raised during the Biden campaign and an additional $81 million flowing into her campaign after Biden's endorsement, Harris is positioned as the Democratic candidate in the most secure financial standing.

Harris's campaign is organizing various events, including a sold-out fundraiser in the Berkshires this week, and her supporters continue to work diligently to solidify her position as a formidable contender for the Democratic nomination.