Biden surges ahead in “mini Super Tuesday” of US Democratic primaries

Of the six State units of the Democratic Party that voted in the primaries on Tuesday, Biden won in four, including Michigan where Bernie Sanders defeated Hillary Clinton in the 2016 primaries

March 11, 2020 by Peoples Dispatch
Mini Super Tuesday
Democratic Presidential candidates Bernie Sanders (left) and Joe Biden.

The US Democratic Party’s primaries on March 10, Tuesday, saw former vice-president Joe Biden strengthen his lead over insurgent candidate Bernie Sanders. Biden, who is the preferred candidate of the Democratic establishment, leads by over 160 delegates over Sanders who has run a radical campaign premised on ensuring better healthcare for all and other welfare measures.

Primaries were held in six States on Tuesday and Biden won in four of them – Missouri, Mississippi Idaho and Michigan. Sanders won in North Dakota while a close race is going on in Washington. Michigan had 125 of the 352 delegates up for offer on Tuesday. Michigan was seen a key State as Bernie Sanders defeated Hillary Clinton in the 2016 Democratic primaries. Media reports indicated that Biden continued his sweep of the southern States while Sanders was not able to bring out his supporters in large enough numbers. A demographic break-up of the voting patterns showed that Sanders was overwhelmingly supported by young voters.

At the end of Tuesday’s primaries, Biden is expected to have bagged around 920 0f 1,851 delegates to be allocated in the race so far. A large part of Biden’s lead may be attributed to his victory in Michigan. Biden has also received endorsements from three former candidates with delegates of their own. 

The race is not over yet. A candidate needs the support of 1,991 delegates to win the convention. Primaries are yet to be held in many States, including delegate-rich Florida and New York. The first major one-on-one debate between Sanders and Biden is also scheduled to be held in a few days, which might work in the former’s favor. However, Biden has the advantage of the Democratic establishment and centrist candidates flocking to his side, which may give him a boost among committed party voters. Meanwhile, Elizabeth Warren, who was backed by many liberal and centrist voters, has not yet endorsed anyone yet although Sanders is the closest candidate to her in terms of policy frameworks. 

Tulsi Gabbard is the only other candidate to continue in the race. This is despite her having secured only two pledged delegates. Another round of primaries is scheduled to be held within a week in four major States. These State units will contribute 577 pledged delegates to the Democratic National Convention scheduled for June 6.