By Kanishka Singh
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – Venture capitalist Ben Horowitz announced on Friday that he will be making a “significant donation” to support Vice President Kamala Harris’ Democratic presidential campaign, as she prepares to face off against Republican former President Donald Trump in the upcoming Nov. 5 election.
WHY IT’S IMPORTANT
Ben Horowitz, the co-founder of the venture capital firm Andreessen Horowitz, had previously shown support for Trump back in July. However, with the entry of Harris into the race, he has shifted his allegiance to her. This move comes at a crucial time when polls indicate a tight competition between Harris and Trump in key battleground states.
KEY QUOTES
“Felicia and I have had the pleasure of knowing Vice President Harris for over a decade, and she has been a supportive friend to us during this time,” Horowitz stated in an interview on X.
He added, “In light of our friendship with Vice President Harris, Felicia and I have decided to make a significant donation to support the Harris Walz campaign. However, we have not disclosed the exact amount or the specific entity receiving the donation.”
While Horowitz has expressed his admiration for Harris, he noted that his firm has not formally endorsed her due to the absence of a detailed tech policy platform from her campaign. He also criticized the tech policies of the current Biden administration, in which Harris serves as vice president, describing them as “exceptionally destructive.”
“Despite engaging in discussions with Vice President Harris and her team regarding their potential tech policies, we are still awaiting a clear outline of their stance. Until then, our firm will maintain its current position,” Horowitz explained.
CONTEXT
Harris’ campaign has been outpacing Trump’s in fundraising efforts, giving her a significant financial advantage as both candidates intensify their advertising campaigns in battleground states.