Michael Kempner was one of Barack Obama’s biggest bundlers, raising more than $3 million for the former president’s 2012 reelection campaign. | Mason Trinca/Getty Images 2020 Elections Top Obama bundler backs Kamala Harris with Hamptons fundraiser

A major Democratic fundraiser who bundled millions of dollars for Barack Obama’s campaigns is planning a mid-August party in the Hamptons benefiting Kamala Harris, as Harris builds new momentum following her successful performance in the June Democratic presidential debates.

Public relations executive Michael Kempner and his wife, Jackie, are hosting the August 18 fundraiser in tony Water Mill, N.Y., according to an invitation obtained by POLITICO. Kempner was one of Obama’s biggest bundlers, raising more than $3 million for the former president’s 2012 reelection campaign, and he also served as a bundler for Hillary Clinton in the 2016 election.


Kempner has donated money to several Democratic candidates in the 2020 primary, including Harris, Joe Biden, Pete Buttigieg and Cory Booker, joining hundreds of other top Democratic donors who have aided multiple candidates thus far. But the event for Harris is the first time Kempner has hosted an event in this presidential race — a sign Kempner’s loyalties are shifting towards the California senator.

Especially now, Harris will benefit from the support and convening power: She is one of five Democratic presidential candidates who raised eight figures in the second quarter of this year, but at $11.8 million, she trailed the rest of the top tier. Buttigieg led the field with $24.8 million — more than doubling Harris’ haul — while Biden brought in $21.5 million, Elizabeth Warren raised $19 million and Bernie Sanders raised $18 million.

A slate of New Yorkers have signed up to cohost the Kempners’ event, including activist Patricia Duff, Emmy Award-winning producer Rachael Horovitz, investor Brian Mathis, and Citi head of global banking Ray McGuire and his wife, Crystal McCrary, according to the invitation. Attendees will pay at least $1,000, the base entry fee, and up to $10,000 to co-chair the event.

The event will be another stop on an increasingly crowded fundraising circuit for Harris, as she fuels up her 2020 campaign: Last weekend, Harris raised money at the home of Hollywood manager Scooter Braun, where she was photographed with stars Ariana Grande, Katy Perry and Demi Lovato.