Joe Biden trounced Sanders in Florida and was cruising to victory in Illinois, according to projections by TV networks. (Photo Credit: Reuters File)
New Delhi:
Former vice president Joe Biden won the Florida, Illinois and Arizona primaries, notching up big victories over Senator Bernie Sanders in the race for the Democratic presidential nomination, according to US media reports. The wins moved Biden a step closer to the party nomination and a slot on the ballot against Donald Trump in November's presidential elections. The 77-year-old Biden won the three primaries in Florida, Illinois and Arizona with an impressive margin, trouncing his main rival Sanders (78) to become the Democratic party's presidential nominee.
As of Tuesday, Biden had 1,121 pledged delegate in his kitty with Sanders trailing behind with 839 delegates. Either of the two presidential aspirants need 1,991 of the 3,979 pledged delegates to win the nomination during the Democratic National Convention in Wisconsin in July.
| Democratic Presidential Primary | Majority Mark | 1,992 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| State | Delegates (Undecided) | Joe Biden (1121) | Bernie Sanders (839) | Others (168) |
| Iowa | 41 | 6 | 12 | 23 |
| New Hampshire | 24 | 0 | 9 | 15 |
| Nevada | 36 | 9 | 24 | 3 |
| South Carolina | 54 | 39 | 15 | 0 |
| Alabama | 52 | 44 | 8 | 0 |
| American Samoa | 6 | 0 | 4 | 2 |
| Arkansas | 31 | 17 | 9 | 5 |
| California | 415 (12) | 165 | 216 | 22 |
| Colorado | 67 (18) | 12 | 21 | 16 |
| Maine | 24 | 11 | 9 | 4 |
| Massachusetts | 91 | 37 | 29 | 25 |
| Minnesota | 75 | 38 | 27 | 10 |
| North Carolina | 110 | 67 | 37 | 6 |
| Oklahoma | 37 | 21 | 13 | 3 |
| Tennessee | 64 | 33 | 19 | 12 |
| Texas | 228 | 111 | 102 | 15 |
| Utah | 29 (9) | 5 | 13 | 2 |
| Vermont | 16 | 5 | 11 | 0 |
| Virginia | 99 | 66 | 31 | 2 |
| Democrats Abroad | 13 | 13 | 0 | 0 |
| Idaho | 20 | 11 | 9 | 0 |
| Michigan | 125 (1) | 72 | 52 | 0 |
| Mississippi | 36 | 34 | 2 | 0 |
| Missouri | 68 | 44 | 24 | 0 |
| North Dakota | 14 | 6 | 8 | 0 |
| Washington | 89 | 43 | 41 | 5 |
| Northern Mariana Islands | 6 | 2 | 4 | 0 |
| Arizona | 67 (67) | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Florida | 219(41) | 130 | 48 | 0 |
| Illinois | 155(16) | 93 | 46 | 0 |
Source: NPR
In his speech, Biden laid out his vision for America, call on Americans to come together to address this global health pandemic, and describe how we will come out of the crisis stronger as one nation. Biden spoke from his home in Delaware keeping the guidelines of avoiding a gathering of 10 or more people. He urged supporters of the Sanders campaign to join him. Praising the the remarkable passion and tenacity of Sanders' supporters, he said that they have shifted the fundamental conversation in this country.
"I hear you. I know what's at stake. I know what we have to do," Biden said in an impressive speech.
Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump has won the Florida and Illinois Republican primaries, making him the party's presumptive nominee in the November presidential election.
"Congratulations to Donald J. Trump on officially becoming the presumptive Republican nominee for President!" Republican Party chairwoman Ronna McDaniel tweeted on tuesday.
The 73-year-old White House incumbent did not face any meaningful competition for the Republican nomination and the Florida and Illinois results were a foregone conclusion.
"Our party is united, our grassroots movement is fired up, and we are ready for FOUR MORE YEARS!" McDaniel said.
(With agency inputs)
