WASHINGTON (CN) - Surpassing every other Democratic candidate’s totals, former Vice President Joe Biden raised $6.3 million in the first 24 hours since announcing his 2020 presidential campaign Thursday.
Former Texas Representative Beto O’Rourke had the previous first-day of $6.1 million, trailed by Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders, who raised $5.9 million in his first day.
Biden's campaign says the money came from more than 96,000 individuals, including 65,000 who were not on "existing email lists."
"We are incredibly heartened by the energy and enthusiasm displayed throughout the country for Joe Biden," Kate Bedingfield, the deputy campaign manager of Biden for President, said in a statement. "It is crystal clear from the last 24 hours that Americans are ready for dignified leadership, someone who can restore the soul of the nation, rebuild the middle class so everyone gets a fair shot and unite the country behind the core values we all believe in. That person is Joe Biden and today's announcement demonstrates Americans agree."
Ending months of speculation, Biden has entered a crowded field, joining 19 other Democrats in the race. FiveThirtyEight has put Biden as the 16th candidate to qualify for the party's primary debates, thanks to strong polling numbers.
Biden sits atop many Democratic primary polls, with Sanders typically his primary rival and the field tightly packed after the frontrunners.
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