Biden to embark on West Coast fundraising swing before expected election launch
President Joe Biden is planning to travel to California next week to raise campaign money, according to three sources familiar with his plans.
It’s the latest sign that the 80-year-old president is readying another run for the White House.
Biden’s trip west will take him to Rancho Santa Fe, a wealthy enclave of sprawling estates north of San Diego, two of the people told POLITICO. He also will have likely stops in Los Angeles and Las Vegas, Nev. The trip is planned for Monday and Tuesday, though the two people stressed Biden’s itinerary is still being finalized and specifics remain fluid.
The White House did not comment.
Biden and Democrats are gearing up an expected reelection campaign, including by dispatching Vice President Kamala Harris to fundraisers of her own in her home state. On Friday, she headlined a midday event in the San Francisco suburb of Hillsborough at the home of longtime fundraiser Stefanie Roumeliotes and her husband, John Costouros.
Despite feeling no pressure to formally announce his re-election campaign, Biden has already held a handful of fundraisers out east to benefit the Democratic National Committee. Earlier this year, he gave a speech to DNC members in Philadelphia that aides described as a soft launch of sorts.
The president’s latest visit west is expected to include a mix of political and official events. Last year, he joined a stampede of Democrats who got behind Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, with Harris making several visits on behalf of Bass’ campaign and swearing her in.
Biden returned in mid-January to Santa Clara and Santa Cruz counties to visit with communities and first responders impacted by the major winter storms.