Sanders defeats Biden in North Dakota

Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) defeated former Vice President Joe Biden in the North Dakota Democratic presidential primary on Tuesday, prevailing in a state he had also won in 2016.

With 100 percent of precincts reporting, Sanders received 53 percent of the vote, while Biden got just under 40 percent.

North Dakota awards 14 pledged delegates, tying Wyoming for hosting the smallest nominating race in the continental United States.

Because of this, the win isn’t much more than a consolation prize for Sanders, who had an otherwise disappointing night at the polls.

Six states — Michigan, Missouri, Idaho, Washington, Mississippi and North Dakota — all cast votes Tuesday in the latest slate of Democratic primaries. Biden by and far won the night, notching victories in Michigan, Idaho, Missouri and Mississippi. The race in Washington remains too close to call, with under 70 percent of precincts reporting as of late Tuesday night.

Michigan, with its 125 pledged delegates, was the biggest prize Tuesday, and Biden won handily in the Wolverine State, getting 53 percent of the vote, while Sanders received 36 percent. Sanders had scored an upset win in the state over former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton in 2016, but wasn’t able to replicate those results.

Because of his successful night, Biden now leads Sanders in the total delegate count 823-663. To receive the Democratic Party’s nomination at the national convention in July, a candidate needs 1,991 delegates. 

The former vice president’s lead could grow even larger next Tuesday when Arizona, Florida, Illinois and Ohio vote. Recent polls have Sanders trailing big in Arizona (67 delegates) and Florida (219 delegates).