Super Tuesday results in big wins for Biden and Sanders
In this Friday, Feb. 28, 2020 photo, pedestrians pass signs near a polling site in San Antonio. California and Texas are the most populous states in the nation and the biggest delegate prizes for the candidates, yet they also present a stark contrast in voting laws. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)
Tuesday was the most delegate-rich day in the presidential primary process. Commonly known as Super Tuesday, 14 states held their primary elections.
President Donald Trump is expected to receive the Republican party nomination for the presidential election on Nov. 3.
However, the Democratic nomination is still up for grabs. A combination of major candidates dropping out and the results of Super Tuesday have narrowed down the race for the Democratic nomination to two candidates — Sen. Bernie Sanders and former Vice President Joe Biden.
Who won Super Tuesday?
Looking at which candidate gained a plurality of votes in each state, Biden did exceptionally well. Of the 14 state primaries held, Biden won nine contests and Maine for a total of 10 states.
Sanders won only four states and trails behind Biden in Maine, though the primaries cannot necessarily be determined by the sheer number of states won by each candidate.
For instance, Sanders won a plurality of votes in California — whose total delegate count of 415 comprises 31% of the total delegates awarded on Super Tuesday.
The delegate counts show Biden and Sanders leading by a significant margin. Biden has earned 433 delegates total, while Sanders has earned 388 total.
Democratic candidates Sen. Elizabeth Warren and former New York City Mayor Mike Bloomberg pulled in 28 and 12 delegates, respectively.
House Representative Tulsi Gabbard also gained a single delegate in the American Samoa Democratic Caucus on Super Tuesday.
Why are candidates dropping out of the race?
On Monday, former Mayor Pete Buttigieg dropped out of the presidential race, endorsing Biden in the process.
Buttigieg was quickly followed by Senator Amy Klobuchar, who dropped out the same day and endorsed Biden. After suspending their campaigns, Buttigieg and Klobuchar earned 26 and 7 delegates in the race, respectively.
By ending their campaigns and supporting Biden, Buttigieg and Klobuchar have united more moderate Democrat voters behind a single candidate, boosting Biden’s chances of clinching the nomination.
Bloomberg ended his bid for the nomination on Wednesday, citing his disappointing performance on Super Tuesday. Bloomberg’s campaign was notably the most expensive self-funded campaign in U.S. history, spending over $500 million in ad spending.
What’s next?
Delegates are still being awarded in several states, including California. Currently, 589 delegates have yet to be awarded.
As candidates need a total of 1,991 pledged delegates to receive the Democratic nomination, several upcoming state primaries may provide Biden or Sanders with a clearer lead over the other.
The next wave of primaries is slated for March 10, which features Democratic state primaries in Idaho, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, North Dakota and Washington state for a total of 352 pledged delegates at stake.
If neither Biden or Sanders obtain a majority of the 1,991 delegates offered by state primaries, the contest for the nomination will be decided by the votes of super-delegates — elected officials and members of the Democratic National Committee who may vote independently of state primary results.
For continued coverage of the Super Tuesday results, click here.
