Washington (CNN) Joe Biden's campaign said it raised $6.3 million in the first 24 hours of his presidential campaign launch, a haul that surpassed the Day One amounts collected by his rivals in the crowded Democratic field.

Biden's fundraising total underscores his prominence in the party -- as a former vice president with near-universal name recognition and a cadre of supporters built up over decades in the Senate and eight years at President Barack Obama's side.

More than 96,900 people donated online to the former vice president's campaign, his aides said in a news release Friday.

A source familiar with the figures said the total does not include any general election funds. That means the money can all be used for the nomination battle against the 19 other Democrats seeking the party's nod.

Of that haul, $4.4 million was raised through online donations, his campaign said.

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