"It wasn't even close": The new revelation about Kamala Harris and the secret poll

Lindy Li, a former top Democratic fundraiser, reveals in a new book an internal party poll that ranked Kamala Harris last among potential candidates against Trump, far behind Buttigieg, Newsom, and Whitmer. According to her, party leadership chose to ignore the data for fear of backlash from Black women and online activists.

Lindy Li, a former top fundraiser for the Democratic Party, reveals in her new book 'Unburdened' an internal poll conducted before Biden's withdrawal, which ranked Kamala Harris last among four potential candidates to face Donald Trump. The poll examined Harris's chances alongside Pete Buttigieg, Gavin Newsom, and Gretchen Whitmer. According to Li, the result was unequivocal: Harris came in last, and even Buttigieg, who recorded zero support among Black voters, ranked above her. Despite the data, party leaders decided to ignore the poll and put Harris at the top of the ticket. Li claims the decision stemmed from a deep fear of a rift with Black women voters, a key electoral base, and from backlash from Harris's online activist network (K-Hive). Additionally, leadership feared that skipping over her would invite accusations of racism. Li adds that two days before Biden's withdrawal announcement, Harris was still assuring donors she supported him, but immediately after the announcement she moved to quickly secure donors and delegates. Harris lost to Trump in November 2024. Harris's camp did not respond to requests for comment.