In a recent email to his venture capital firm, Horowitz expressed his longstanding friendship with Vice President Kamala Harris, stating, “As I mentioned before, Felicia and I have known Vice President Harris for over 10 years, and during that time, she has been a good friend to both of us.” He went on to announce that he and his wife would make significant donations to support Harris’s campaign.
This raises an intriguing question: How does one retract an endorsement?
During the podcast produced by Horowitz and a16z co-founder Marc Andreessen, both men emphasized the importance of who attends their sessions, revealing their political commitments are closely tied to their relationships. A poignant moment in the podcast featured Horowitz sharing a story about spending time with Trump’s grandchildren, reflecting on his reaction to news of an assassination attempt against Trump: “Oh my God, grandpa just shooting.”
Given Horowitz’s friendship with Harris, it’s understandable that he would want to support her campaign. However, the political landscape is complex. Notably, Trump’s endorsement of Joe Biden, who subsequently supported Harris even before she officially became the Democratic nominee, suggests that a16z has forfeited any influence with a Harris-led administration. This could mean that if Harris wins, Horowitz and his associates may find themselves sidelined for four years, a situation they deem catastrophic for the country.
To regain influence within a Democratic administration, someone may need to acknowledge their previous stances. Notably, Anderson seems unlikely to do so. Horowitz’s support for Trump has been characterized as a significant pivot, as he has historically donated to progressive causes. In fact, Harris was once a guest at his backyard barbecue in 2018.
One founder speculated to San Francisco Standard, “What will they do when Kamala wins? How do you walk it back?”
The latest developments suggest that Horowitz is attempting to navigate this delicate situation. His email indicated he had engaged in multiple discussions with Harris and her team, underscoring the importance of direct contact in Horowitz’s political strategy. While he remains critical of President Joe Biden, he expressed optimism about Harris’s potential contributions to the tech sector, despite her lack of concrete policy positions thus far.
Harris has addressed what Horowitz referred to as “probably the most emotionally charged topic” of the election: cryptocurrency. A campaign aide noted, “She will support policies that ensure emerging technologies and these industries can continue to grow,” providing a glimpse into her approach to this vital issue.
