Harris raises nearly $50 million after Biden endorsement

Vice President Harris raised nearly $50 million in grassroots donations on Sunday in the hours after President Biden stepped aside as the nominee and backed her to replace him.

"Since the President endorsed Vice President Harris yesterday afternoon, everyday Americans have given $49.6 million in grassroots donations to her campaign," Lauren Hitt, a spokesperson for the Harris campaign, said in a statement.

The impressive haul is a sign of the grassroots enthusiasm among Democrats in the immediate aftermath of Biden's decision not to seek reelection, and it reflects Harris's strength as the likeliest choice to replace the president atop the ticket.

Biden announced Sunday afternoon he would not run for a second term amid mounting pressure from elected Democrats for him to step aside, citing concerns he could not defeat former President Trump in November. A short time later, he endorsed Harris as the nominee.

Harris said she planned to "earn and win" the party's nomination, and it's unclear if she will face any serious challengers in the month before the Democratic convention begins next month in Chicago.

A person familiar with the matter said Harris spent Sunday working the phones, making calls to more than 100 party leaders, members of Congress, governors, labor leaders and civil rights groups. Harris made clear on those calls that she appreciated Biden's endorsement, but that she planned to work to earn the Democratic nomination herself.