Hollywood donors take out checkbooks as Kamala Harris becomes front runner in 2024 Presidential Race

After weeks of withholding money in the aftermath of Joe Biden's June 27 debate debacle, top Hollywood donors are already breaking out their checkbooks on the news Sunday that Biden has dropped out of the race and endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris.

"I'm more excited and motivated than I've been in months, and everyone I talk to tells me the same," a longtime contributor told Deadline today following Biden's exit announcement earlier in the day. "It looks like it is going to be Harris, and that's great — everybody knows her, likes her," the donor said of the VP, who has a home on the west side of Los Angeles with Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff.

With Biden's exit, Harris is now the clear front-runner, and donors are excited to support her bid for the nomination. Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro and North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper, two Democrats who now are potential VP picks, have already picked up support for Harris. Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer praised Biden today after his announcement, but did not offer backing for Harris. However, the popular battleground-state governor has said in past weeks that she would not pursue the Dems' nomination if POTUS took himself out of the race.

Former president Bill Clinton and 2016 nominee Hillary Clinton, as well as California's Gavin Newsom, and Transportation Secretary (and 2020 candidate) Pete Buttigieg were among leading Democrats coming out for Harris. The VP and Sec. Buttigieg were together on Saturday night at a Biden-Harris fundraiser in Provincetown, MA. Co-hosted by CAA partner Joe Machota and his husband Michael Russell along with Bryan Rafanelli and Tristan Schukraft, the VPTOWN event raised $2 million.

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) also lined up behind Harris on Sunday,