Campaign says Harris raised nearly $81 million in 24 hours after Biden endorsement; Democrats offer early support

Kamala Harris rakes in campaign donations after Biden drops out of race; Democrats offer early support.

Vice President Kamala Harris’s presidential campaign is officially underway after President Biden announced Sunday that he was dropping out of the race and endorsed her as his successor. Within hours of receiving Biden’s backing, Harris raked in $49.6 million in grassroots donations, according to a spokesperson for her campaign.

Many prominent Democrats moved quickly to throw their support behind Harris, including Reps. Adam Schiff of California, Jamie Raskin of Maryland, Jim Clyburn of South Carolina and Ilhan Omar of Minnesota, as well as the political action committee representing the Congressional Black Caucus.

Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi on Monday issued a statement endorsing Harris, after initially declining to do.

Other party leaders, however, like former President Barack Obama have praised Biden’s decision to step out of the race but stopped short of endorsing Harris. It’s unclear if she will face any challengers for the nomination ahead of the Democratic National Convention in Chicago next month.

Biden announced his decision in an open letter posted to social media on Sunday, following a weeks-long pressure campaign from fellow Democrats that began in earnest following his much-criticized debate performance in late June.