Biden outpaces pack, raises USD 6.3 mn in first 24 hours

Joe Biden raked in USD 6.3 million in the 24 hours since launching his presidential bid, his campaign said Friday, outpacing Day 1 fundraising of all other Democrats in the crowded 2020 field.

Online donations to the former vice president, already considered the frontrunner among the Democrats seeking to challenge President Donald Trump, averaged USD 41, and 61 per cent of total money raised came from new donors who were not on earlier Biden email lists.

The dollar figure eclipsed the USD 6.1 million opening-day haul by rival Democrat Beto O'Rourke, a former congressman from Texas, and the USD 5.9 million raised in 24 hours by liberal Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders, who is second behind Biden in the polls.

"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," deputy campaign manager Kate Bedingfield said in a statement.

"That person is Joe Biden, and today's announcement demonstrates Americans agree."