Kamala Harris' CNN town hall sets viewership record
Washington, Jan 30:Indian-origin presidential hopeful Kamala Harris' town hall on CNN with an average of 1.957 million viewers got the network its highest ratings ever for such an event with an individual election candidate, according to the network.
Harris, 54, who was elected to the Senate in 2016, announced her run for presidency last week. She has been voted on top of the list of Democratic leaders aspiring to defeat President Donald Trump in the November 2020 election.
Harris, the second African-American woman elected to the US senate, has drawn comparisons to Barack Obama since early in her political career.
CNN announced Tuesday that the broadcast was the most-watched cable news single candidate election town hall, according to Nielsen data.
The live event on Monday averaged 1.957 million viewers, a figure far greater than CNN's previous four town halls, which attracted an average audience of 1.119 million each, the network said in a statement.
Monday night's CNN Town Hall with Harris was the most watched cable news single candidate election town hall ever, the news network said in a statement.
The town hall averaged 712,000 among adults 25-54 from 10-11pm, easily topping all cable news competition.
CNN was also number one in prime time in the demos, it said. In the townhall, Harris reflected on her various policy issues, responding to questions from the audience.
Moderated by CNN anchor Jake Tapper, the Town Hall with Kamala Harris propelled CNN to 945,000 total day live starts across digital platforms on Monday.
The California Senator is hoping to capitalize on high early fundraising numbers and enthusiasm from the base before the Democratic primary field.
It was reported last week that the Harris campaign raised more than $1.5 million in online donations in the 24 hours since she announced her candidacy for president. She also held a highly publicised rally Sunday to officially kick off her presidential bid.
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Nitish announces Rajya Sabha foray, ending tenure as Bihar's longest-serving CM
Patna (PTI): JD(U) chief Nitish Kumar on Thursday announced that he will be contesting the Rajya Sabha polls, bringing the curtain down on his tenure as the longest-serving CM of Bihar.
Kumar, who has been the CM since 2005, said the new government that will be formed in the state will have his full cooperation and guidance.
"For more than two decades, you have consistently placed your trust and support in me, and it is on the strength of that trust that we have served Bihar and all of you with complete dedication. It was the power of your trust and support that has enabled Bihar today to present a new dimension of development and dignity," he said, expressing gratitude to the people of the state.
ALSO READ: Nitish likely to file nominations for Rajya Sabha polls
Kumar said that from the very beginning of his parliamentary journey, he wanted to become a member of both Houses of the Bihar legislature as well as both Houses of Parliament.
"In keeping with this aspiration, I seek to become a member of the Rajya Sabha in the elections being held this time," he said.
"I want to assure you with complete honesty that my relationship with you will continue in the future as well, and my resolve to work together with you to build a developed Bihar will remain steadfast. The new government that will be formed will have my full cooperation and guidance," he added.
With Kumar stepping down after leading the ruling NDA to a landslide victory in the 2025 assembly elections, a BJP leader is expected to take over the top post.
If that happens, Bihar will get its first BJP chief minister -- the only Hindi heartland state where the party has not held the office so far.
Five Rajya Sabha seats from Bihar will go to the polls on March 16, and Thursday is the last day for filing nominations.
Kumar's election to the Upper House of Parliament is all but certain, as per the tally in the state legislature.
