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Democratic Primaries Live Updates: Biden Wins Mississippi and Missouri Democratic Primaries Live Updates: Biden Wins Michigan, Mississippi and Missouri
(32 minutes later)
Former Vice President Joseph R. Biden Jr. prevailed over Senator Bernie Sanders of Vermont to win the Democratic presidential primaries in Missouri and Mississippi. Former Vice President Joseph R. Biden Jr. prevailed over Senator Bernie Sanders of Vermont to win the Democratic presidential primaries in Michigan, Missouri and Mississippi.
It’s too early to call Michigan, where some polls remain open and which will award 125 delegates, more than any other state voting today. But with 10 percent of precincts reporting, Mr. Biden leads by roughly 52 percent to 42 percent. Michigan, which awards 125 delegates, is the biggest prize of the night. Mr. Biden’s victory there deals a further blow to Mr. Sanders’s hopes of catching him in the delegate race.
Polls remain open in Idaho, North Dakota and Washington State.Polls remain open in Idaho, North Dakota and Washington State.
Both Mr. Biden and Mr. Sanders canceled planned primary-night rallies in Cleveland amid coronavirus fears. Mr. Biden plans to address reporters in Philadelphia at 9:30 p.m. Mr. Sanders will spend the evening in Burlington, Vt.Both Mr. Biden and Mr. Sanders canceled planned primary-night rallies in Cleveland amid coronavirus fears. Mr. Biden plans to address reporters in Philadelphia at 9:30 p.m. Mr. Sanders will spend the evening in Burlington, Vt.
Mr. Biden won Michigan, grabbing a victory in a delegate-rich state that will be critical to Democratic fortunes in the general election.
The win is likely to add to the sense of inevitability surrounding Mr. Biden’s candidacy after his Super Tuesday victories, potentially fueling his campaign to effectively wrap up the nomination at a time when Democratic voters are eager to turn their focus to President Trump.
Michigan looms large in Democratic psyches, a fairly reliably blue state that flipped to Mr. Trump in 2016, helping cost the party the election.
The loss is particularly striking for Mr. Sanders. A surprise upset in Michigan four years ago helped extend his insurgent campaign against Hillary Clinton. He spent much of the past few days in the state trying to re-energize his coalition of college-educated liberals and rural white voters, while denting enthusiasm for Mr. Biden among black voters, who make up a significant portion of the Democratic electorate.
Mr. Biden won Mississippi and Missouri, picking up two quick victories nearly immediately after the first round of polls closed.Mr. Biden won Mississippi and Missouri, picking up two quick victories nearly immediately after the first round of polls closed.
In both states, Mr. Biden was helped by his strong support among black voters, a crucial Democratic voting bloc. Mississippi is the most heavily African-American state in the country. In Missouri, nearly one-fifth of the state’s Democratic electorate is black.In both states, Mr. Biden was helped by his strong support among black voters, a crucial Democratic voting bloc. Mississippi is the most heavily African-American state in the country. In Missouri, nearly one-fifth of the state’s Democratic electorate is black.
Preliminary exit polls from Mississippi showed that black voters supported Mr. Biden in staggering numbers: 86 percent of them backed him, compared with 11 percent for Mr. Sanders. Among black voters over the age of 60, the numbers were even more stark: 96 percent supported Mr. Biden, compared with just 3 percent for Mr. Sanders.Preliminary exit polls from Mississippi showed that black voters supported Mr. Biden in staggering numbers: 86 percent of them backed him, compared with 11 percent for Mr. Sanders. Among black voters over the age of 60, the numbers were even more stark: 96 percent supported Mr. Biden, compared with just 3 percent for Mr. Sanders.
This suggests that, despite a concerted effort, Mr. Sanders did not improve from his showing against Hillary Clinton in 2016, when he won 11 percent of black voters in Mississippi and Mrs. Clinton won 89 percent. This suggests that, despite a concerted effort, Mr. Sanders did not improve from his showing against Mrs. Clinton in 2016, when he won 11 percent of black voters in Mississippi and Mrs. Clinton won 89 percent.
Four years ago in Missouri, Mrs. Clinton’s victory over Mr. Sanders was narrow. But in Mississippi, she defeated him with more than 80 percent of the vote, taking all but five of the state’s 36 delegates.Four years ago in Missouri, Mrs. Clinton’s victory over Mr. Sanders was narrow. But in Mississippi, she defeated him with more than 80 percent of the vote, taking all but five of the state’s 36 delegates.
The question this year was never whether Mr. Biden would prevail over Mr. Sanders in Mississippi, but about the size of his victory. The more delegates Mr. Biden wins there tonight, the harder he will make it for Mr. Sanders to mount a comeback on more favorable terrain.The question this year was never whether Mr. Biden would prevail over Mr. Sanders in Mississippi, but about the size of his victory. The more delegates Mr. Biden wins there tonight, the harder he will make it for Mr. Sanders to mount a comeback on more favorable terrain.
Four years ago, Missouri was a squeaker. This year, it was called moments after the polls closed. And one of the biggest differences appears to have been among white voters, who sided with Mr. Sanders in 2016 but backed Mr. Biden in 2020.Four years ago, Missouri was a squeaker. This year, it was called moments after the polls closed. And one of the biggest differences appears to have been among white voters, who sided with Mr. Sanders in 2016 but backed Mr. Biden in 2020.
Exit polls showed that Mr. Sanders carried 54 percent of white voters in 2016 while Mr. Biden carried 53 percent in 2020. Mr. Biden won a similar share of black voters as Mrs. Clinton did four years ago (69 percent compared to 67 percent).Exit polls showed that Mr. Sanders carried 54 percent of white voters in 2016 while Mr. Biden carried 53 percent in 2020. Mr. Biden won a similar share of black voters as Mrs. Clinton did four years ago (69 percent compared to 67 percent).
One of the bigger swings came among white college graduates, whom Mr. Sanders carried with 57 percent support versus 43 percent for Mrs. Clinton in 2016.One of the bigger swings came among white college graduates, whom Mr. Sanders carried with 57 percent support versus 43 percent for Mrs. Clinton in 2016.
This year, it was an inversion: Mr. Biden carried white college gradates with 56 percent support, while Mr. Sanders had only 37 percent.This year, it was an inversion: Mr. Biden carried white college gradates with 56 percent support, while Mr. Sanders had only 37 percent.
While one of Mr. Sanders’s big arguments has been that his supporters are uniquely enthusiastic about his candidacy, preliminary exit polls of the states voting on Tuesday indicate that Mr. Biden’s supporters are equally or even more enthusiastic.While one of Mr. Sanders’s big arguments has been that his supporters are uniquely enthusiastic about his candidacy, preliminary exit polls of the states voting on Tuesday indicate that Mr. Biden’s supporters are equally or even more enthusiastic.
In preliminary exit polls from Washington, the same percentage of Democratic voters (35 percent) said they would be “enthusiastic” if Mr. Biden won the nomination as if Mr. Sanders won. And polls from Missouri found that significantly more people would be enthusiastic if Mr. Biden won: 45 percent, compared with 31 percent for Mr. Sanders.In preliminary exit polls from Washington, the same percentage of Democratic voters (35 percent) said they would be “enthusiastic” if Mr. Biden won the nomination as if Mr. Sanders won. And polls from Missouri found that significantly more people would be enthusiastic if Mr. Biden won: 45 percent, compared with 31 percent for Mr. Sanders.
Conversely, about twice as many people said they would be “upset” if Mr. Sanders won (16 percent in each state) as those who said the same about Mr. Biden (8 percent in Missouri and 9 percent in Washington).Conversely, about twice as many people said they would be “upset” if Mr. Sanders won (16 percent in each state) as those who said the same about Mr. Biden (8 percent in Missouri and 9 percent in Washington).
Voters in both states indicated that they trusted Mr. Biden to handle a crisis better than Mr. Sanders: 61 percent to 27 percent in Missouri, and 46 percent to 27 percent in Washington. That is an argument Mr. Biden’s campaign has been leaning hard on, especially as the coronavirus crisis escalates.Voters in both states indicated that they trusted Mr. Biden to handle a crisis better than Mr. Sanders: 61 percent to 27 percent in Missouri, and 46 percent to 27 percent in Washington. That is an argument Mr. Biden’s campaign has been leaning hard on, especially as the coronavirus crisis escalates.
The preliminary polls in Washington, Missouri and Mississippi also found that a majority of voters were more concerned with nominating a candidate who they believed could beat President Trump than one who agreed with them on major issues.The preliminary polls in Washington, Missouri and Mississippi also found that a majority of voters were more concerned with nominating a candidate who they believed could beat President Trump than one who agreed with them on major issues.
The exit polls in Michigan are unreliable because they did not include absentee voters.The exit polls in Michigan are unreliable because they did not include absentee voters.
Mr. Sanders is arriving home in Vermont Tuesday night much earlier than he’d planned.Mr. Sanders is arriving home in Vermont Tuesday night much earlier than he’d planned.
After canceling a rally in Cleveland because of concerns about the coronavirus, the Sanders campaign has provided no information about whether or when Mr. Sanders might speak about the results.After canceling a rally in Cleveland because of concerns about the coronavirus, the Sanders campaign has provided no information about whether or when Mr. Sanders might speak about the results.
It’s not clear what Mr. Sanders will be doing as the results roll in, or when he will next appear in public.It’s not clear what Mr. Sanders will be doing as the results roll in, or when he will next appear in public.
He is scheduled to appear on Jimmy Fallon’s late-night talk show Wednesday, but his campaign has announced no other campaign stops.He is scheduled to appear on Jimmy Fallon’s late-night talk show Wednesday, but his campaign has announced no other campaign stops.
In the first major cancellations of the presidential campaign because of concerns about the coronavirus, Mr. Sanders and Mr. Biden both called off primary night campaign events Tuesday as they awaited the results of voting in six states.In the first major cancellations of the presidential campaign because of concerns about the coronavirus, Mr. Sanders and Mr. Biden both called off primary night campaign events Tuesday as they awaited the results of voting in six states.
“Out of concern for public health and safety, we are canceling tonight’s rally in Cleveland,” said Mike Casca, a Sanders campaign spokesman. “We are heeding the public warnings from Ohio state officials, who have communicated concern about holding large, indoor events during the coronavirus outbreak. Senator Sanders would like to express his regret to the thousands of Ohioans who had planned to attend the event tonight.”“Out of concern for public health and safety, we are canceling tonight’s rally in Cleveland,” said Mike Casca, a Sanders campaign spokesman. “We are heeding the public warnings from Ohio state officials, who have communicated concern about holding large, indoor events during the coronavirus outbreak. Senator Sanders would like to express his regret to the thousands of Ohioans who had planned to attend the event tonight.”
Mr. Casca added: “All future Bernie 2020 events will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.”Mr. Casca added: “All future Bernie 2020 events will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.”
The Biden campaign announced on Tuesday afternoon that it would be canceling its evening event in Cleveland. “In accordance with guidance from public officials and out of an abundance of caution, our rally in Cleveland, Ohio tonight is cancelled,” Mr. Biden’s deputy campaign manager, Kate Bedingfield, said on Twitter.The Biden campaign announced on Tuesday afternoon that it would be canceling its evening event in Cleveland. “In accordance with guidance from public officials and out of an abundance of caution, our rally in Cleveland, Ohio tonight is cancelled,” Mr. Biden’s deputy campaign manager, Kate Bedingfield, said on Twitter.
The Michigan secretary of state warned that the results of today’s primary may not be known until “well into” Wednesday, as the state adjusts to changes in its elections system that are meant to enhance security and give more people access to the ballot.The Michigan secretary of state warned that the results of today’s primary may not be known until “well into” Wednesday, as the state adjusts to changes in its elections system that are meant to enhance security and give more people access to the ballot.
“I am keenly aware that the eyes of the country will be awaiting the outcome of our presidential primary this evening,” Jocelyn Benson, a Democrat, wrote in an opinion piece published Tuesday in USA Today. “And they will need to wait a little longer than usual.”“I am keenly aware that the eyes of the country will be awaiting the outcome of our presidential primary this evening,” Jocelyn Benson, a Democrat, wrote in an opinion piece published Tuesday in USA Today. “And they will need to wait a little longer than usual.”
Ms. Benson cited the significant increase in the amount of work that officials across the state will have to do because of the new rules, in addition to what she said was a 95 percent increase in the number of requests for absentee ballots.Ms. Benson cited the significant increase in the amount of work that officials across the state will have to do because of the new rules, in addition to what she said was a 95 percent increase in the number of requests for absentee ballots.
If the results are late, she said, it will not be because of fraud or error but because “our election administrators are working diligently to carry out the additional work on their plates in a way that is ethical and accurate.”If the results are late, she said, it will not be because of fraud or error but because “our election administrators are working diligently to carry out the additional work on their plates in a way that is ethical and accurate.”
Among the changes Michigan made when voters amended its constitution in 2018 were to allow everyone to vote by mail and register to vote on Election Day.Among the changes Michigan made when voters amended its constitution in 2018 were to allow everyone to vote by mail and register to vote on Election Day.
No live audience. No spin room. Virtually no traveling members of the press.No live audience. No spin room. Virtually no traveling members of the press.
This is a presidential primary debate in the age of coronavirus.This is a presidential primary debate in the age of coronavirus.
CNN and Democratic officials announced on Tuesday that “at the request of the campaigns and out of an abundance of caution,” Sunday’s highly anticipated Democratic debate in Phoenix would be a significantly pared-down affair.CNN and Democratic officials announced on Tuesday that “at the request of the campaigns and out of an abundance of caution,” Sunday’s highly anticipated Democratic debate in Phoenix would be a significantly pared-down affair.
The live audience — whose jeers and cheers can be a major variable for the candidates onstage — will be missing. Instead, Mr. Biden and Mr. Sanders will debate each other one-on-one for the first time inside a virtually empty theater, joined only by a handful of moderators and television crew members.The live audience — whose jeers and cheers can be a major variable for the candidates onstage — will be missing. Instead, Mr. Biden and Mr. Sanders will debate each other one-on-one for the first time inside a virtually empty theater, joined only by a handful of moderators and television crew members.
The spin room, where campaign aides scramble to declare their candidates a winner in front of packs of deadline-addled reporters, is off the table, too. As is the media filing center, the often-cavernous space where hundreds of political reporters gather to watch the same television broadcast seen by viewers at home.The spin room, where campaign aides scramble to declare their candidates a winner in front of packs of deadline-addled reporters, is off the table, too. As is the media filing center, the often-cavernous space where hundreds of political reporters gather to watch the same television broadcast seen by viewers at home.
The Democratic National Committee, which oversees the debates, said on Tuesday that health officials in Arizona had advised that the event “could proceed as planned.” But the party said it wanted to take additional measures to ensure “the safety of our staff, campaigns, Arizonans and all those involved in the debate,” a party spokeswoman, Xochitl Hinojosa, said in a statement.The Democratic National Committee, which oversees the debates, said on Tuesday that health officials in Arizona had advised that the event “could proceed as planned.” But the party said it wanted to take additional measures to ensure “the safety of our staff, campaigns, Arizonans and all those involved in the debate,” a party spokeswoman, Xochitl Hinojosa, said in a statement.
While there was little hard proof that coronavirus had affected turnout in Tuesday’s primaries, officials in two states blamed it for keeping people away from polls. While there was little hard proof that the coronavirus had affected turnout in Tuesday’s primaries, officials in two states blamed it for keeping people away from polls.
In Mississippi, which was holding party nomination votes in several key congressional races in addition to its presidential primaries, the chairman of the state Democratic Party cited the virus as one reason turnout was lower than he had hoped.In Mississippi, which was holding party nomination votes in several key congressional races in addition to its presidential primaries, the chairman of the state Democratic Party cited the virus as one reason turnout was lower than he had hoped.
“It seems to be somewhat light or moderate,” said Bobby Moak, the Democratic chairman in Mississippi. Mr. Moak cited rain in the southern part of the state as a factor as well as vacation season — it was spring break statewide for all high schools and colleges — and fear of coronavirus transmission.“It seems to be somewhat light or moderate,” said Bobby Moak, the Democratic chairman in Mississippi. Mr. Moak cited rain in the southern part of the state as a factor as well as vacation season — it was spring break statewide for all high schools and colleges — and fear of coronavirus transmission.
“And I think some of it may be the dad-gum coronavirus is on people’s minds,” Mr. Moak said. No one in Mississippi has been diagnosed with the illness.“And I think some of it may be the dad-gum coronavirus is on people’s minds,” Mr. Moak said. No one in Mississippi has been diagnosed with the illness.
In Missouri, Tammy Brown, an elections official in Jackson County, near Kansas City, blamed coronavirus for scaring voters. “It just doesn’t seem like there’s a huge turnout,” she said.In Missouri, Tammy Brown, an elections official in Jackson County, near Kansas City, blamed coronavirus for scaring voters. “It just doesn’t seem like there’s a huge turnout,” she said.
About two dozen poll judges had called in sick, she said.About two dozen poll judges had called in sick, she said.
“I think some of them were just scared to deal with the public,” Ms. Brown said.“I think some of them were just scared to deal with the public,” Ms. Brown said.
In St. Louis, Gary Stoff, the director of elections, said he was not aware that anyone remained home because they feared the coronavirus, even though one of the city polling places was a school that had been shut because the parent of a student believed he might have been exposed. (The lunchroom where balloting was held had been thoroughly sanitized, he said.) On the morning of the Michigan primary, Mr. Biden swore at a man during a heated exchange about guns while visiting a new Fiat Chrysler Automobiles assembly plant under construction in Detroit.
Mr. Stoff said turnout was running slightly higher than in 2016.
On the morning of the Michigan primary, Mr. Biden swore at a man during a heated exchange about guns while the former vice president was visiting a new Fiat Chrysler Automobiles assembly plant under construction in Detroit.
Mr. Biden was shaking hands and taking pictures with workers, many of them wearing fluorescent vests and hard hats, when one man accused him of trying to “take away our guns.”Mr. Biden was shaking hands and taking pictures with workers, many of them wearing fluorescent vests and hard hats, when one man accused him of trying to “take away our guns.”
“You’re full of shit,” Mr. Biden responded, adding, “I support the Second Amendment.”“You’re full of shit,” Mr. Biden responded, adding, “I support the Second Amendment.”
The two men got into a back-and-forth about Mr. Biden’s views on guns and his positions on gun control. Mr. Biden noted that he was a gun owner and said, “I’m not taking your gun away at all.” Later in the exchange, he told the man, “Don’t be such a horse’s ass.” Mr. Biden noted that he was a gun owner and said, “I’m not taking your gun away at all.” Later on in the exchange, he told the man, “Don’t be such a horse’s ass.”
Mr. Biden has occasionally sparred with voters at his events, sometimes in heated exchanges. At a campaign event in Iowa in December, he angrily lashed out at a man who raised questions about his son Hunter Biden’s business dealings in Ukraine, calling him a “damn liar.” After the man said Mr. Biden was too old to be president, Mr. Biden suggested the man do push-ups or go running with him. Mr. Biden has occasionally sparred with voters at his events. At a campaign event in Iowa in December, he angrily lashed out at a man who raised questions about his son Hunter Biden’s business dealings in Ukraine, calling him a “damn liar.” After the man said Mr. Biden was too old to be president, Mr. Biden suggested the man do push-ups or go running with him.
These kinds of exchanges could cut two ways for Mr. Biden. Some voters might see it as a troubling example of displaying his temper, undermining his efforts to cast himself as a steady, measured leader. Others have said they approve of Mr. Biden responding forcefully to attacks; they have urged him to show more vigor in campaign trail interactions ahead of a possible showdown with the president, an unapologetic brawler. These kinds of exchanges could cut two ways for Mr. Biden. Some voters might see it as a troubling display of anger, undermining his efforts to cast himself as a steady, measured leader. Others have said they approve of Mr. Biden responding forcefully to attacks; they have urged him to show more vigor in campaign trail interactions ahead of a possible showdown with the president.
Michigan is the most closely watched state voting on Tuesday. That is in part because Mr. Sanders scored a surprise upset there that prolonged the Democratic primary race four years ago. And it is because Michigan is a Midwestern bellwether: If Mr. Sanders cannot revive his campaign there, he is unlikely to perform much better when Ohio, Illinois and Wisconsin vote in the weeks to come.
But Mr. Biden appears strong in Michigan. Every public poll has him leading by double digits, and the question now may be just how wide of a margin he will enjoy on Tuesday.
Watch three constituencies: African-Americans, college-educated white voters and the rural Michiganders who supported Mr. Sanders in large numbers in 2016.
The first two groups make up the former vice president’s Super Tuesday coalition and, with former Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg of New York out of the presidential race, are poised to support Mr. Biden again. And if Mr. Biden can make inroads with those rural voters, some of whom supported Mr. Sanders in 2016 because they were uneasy with Mrs. Clinton, Michigan will hand him a decisive win.
One problem for Mr. Sanders is that these three states, where he is favored to do better generally, award fewer delegates. Washington is a must-win state for Mr. Sanders, with its well-educated liberal population where progressive ideas are popular. It has 89 delegates — a good chunk — but less than Michigan.One problem for Mr. Sanders is that these three states, where he is favored to do better generally, award fewer delegates. Washington is a must-win state for Mr. Sanders, with its well-educated liberal population where progressive ideas are popular. It has 89 delegates — a good chunk — but less than Michigan.
Mr. Sanders won North Dakota in 2016, but the state only has 14 delegates. Idaho has switched from a caucus system to a primary voting system, and he has tended to do better in the former. Mr. Sanders also won Idaho in 2016 — and is expected to do well there again. There are 20 delegates up for grabs in Idaho, and Mr. Sanders would need a dominating performance across these states to eat into the lead Mr. Biden has from states like Mississippi, which are expected to be blowouts.Mr. Sanders won North Dakota in 2016, but the state only has 14 delegates. Idaho has switched from a caucus system to a primary voting system, and he has tended to do better in the former. Mr. Sanders also won Idaho in 2016 — and is expected to do well there again. There are 20 delegates up for grabs in Idaho, and Mr. Sanders would need a dominating performance across these states to eat into the lead Mr. Biden has from states like Mississippi, which are expected to be blowouts.
There is one really notable difference between the six states that are voting on Tuesday and the elections those six states conducted four years ago: In 2016, three of the states held caucuses; in 2020, only North Dakota is.There is one really notable difference between the six states that are voting on Tuesday and the elections those six states conducted four years ago: In 2016, three of the states held caucuses; in 2020, only North Dakota is.
Caucuses are typically lower-turnout affairs that draw the most passionate supporters, and that proved a fertile formula for Mr. Sanders in 2016, when he often had some of his best showings against Mrs. Clinton in caucus states.Caucuses are typically lower-turnout affairs that draw the most passionate supporters, and that proved a fertile formula for Mr. Sanders in 2016, when he often had some of his best showings against Mrs. Clinton in caucus states.
In Washington’s caucuses, Mr. Sanders won 72.7 percent of the vote and 74 delegates, compared to only 27 for Mrs. Clinton. In Idaho, he won 78 percent and had a delegate edge of 18 to 5. There is little chance he will run up such margins tonight.In Washington’s caucuses, Mr. Sanders won 72.7 percent of the vote and 74 delegates, compared to only 27 for Mrs. Clinton. In Idaho, he won 78 percent and had a delegate edge of 18 to 5. There is little chance he will run up such margins tonight.
As for North Dakota? Mr. Sanders carried the caucuses four years ago with 64.2 percent.As for North Dakota? Mr. Sanders carried the caucuses four years ago with 64.2 percent.
Reid J. Epstein, Katie Glueck, Michael Grynbaum, Astead W. Herndon, Jonathan Martin, Jeremy W. Peters and Stephanie Saul contributed reporting.Reid J. Epstein, Katie Glueck, Michael Grynbaum, Astead W. Herndon, Jonathan Martin, Jeremy W. Peters and Stephanie Saul contributed reporting.