A win in Michigan helps Biden extend delegate lead over Sanders
by March 10, 2020 8:45 pm 305 views
Former Vice President Joe Biden extended his delegate lead over U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., in the Democratic presidential primary with elections in six states, including the key state of Michigan.
The six states holding Democratic primaries on Tuesday (March 10), along with available delegates, were: Idaho (20); Michigan (125); Mississippi (36); Missouri (68); North Dakota (14); and Washington (89).
The races in Michigan, Mississippi and Missouri were called early in the night as wins for Biden. Some Democratic strategists, including James Carville, said Tuesday’s election results are a clear indication that Democratic voters want Biden to win the nomination and take on President Donald Trump in the general election.
There were 352 delegates up for grabs in the six states, with Biden entering the day with 670 delegates and Sanders with 574. To win the nomination on the first ballot, a candidate will need 1,991 delegates. The Democratic National Convention will begin July 13 in Milwaukee, Wis.
The field of viable candidates narrowed to Biden and Sanders following the March 3 Super Tuesday primary races. Former New York City Mayor Mike Bloomberg, Former South Bend, Ind., Mayor Pete Buttiegieg, U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn., and U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., were the higher profile candidates to end their bids for the Democratic nomination. Bloomberg, Buttiegieg and Klobuchar endorsed Biden. As of Tuesday, Warren had not made an endorsement.
The next round in the Democratic primary is March 17 when voters in Arizona, Florida, Illinois and Ohio go the polls. The four states have a combined 577 delegates – Arizona (67), Florida (219), Illinois (155) and Ohio (136).
The Biden and Sanders campaigns were planning on election night rallies in Ohio but cancelled those because of fears related to the coronavirus.
“Out of concern for public health and safety, we are canceling tonight’s rally in Cleveland We are heeding the public warnings from Ohio state officials, who have communicated concern about holding large, indoor events during the coronavirus outbreak. Sen. Sanders would like to express his regret to the thousands of Ohioans who had planned to attend the event tonight,” said Mike Casca with the Sanders campaign.