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Biden and Sanders Compete in Today's Primaries: Live Updates

Biden and Sanders

It's a make-or-break night for Sanders as Biden tries to build on his momentum from Super Tuesday.

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Former Vice President Joe Biden and U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont are the last viable Democratic presidential candidates standing as six states hold primaries today -- Idaho, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, North Dakota, and Washington. It appears to be make-or-break time for "democratic socialist" Sanders, as the more moderate Biden surged ahead of him in the delegate count after winning 10 states to Sanders's four in last week's Super Tuesday primaries.

The Advocate will report results for each state as they come in.

10:09 p.m. Pacific: NBC News has projected Biden as the winner in Idaho. North Dakota and Washington are yet to be called.

8 p.m. Pacific: "Although there's a way to go, it looks like we're going to have another good night," Joe Biden just told campaign workers and media at the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia. He had planned to have a rally in Cleveland tonight, in anticipation of the Ohio primary next week, but he canceled it after the state's governor, Mike DeWine, declared a state of emergency due to the coronavirus outbreak. So Biden made his speech to a limited audience in Philadelphia after winning three states and while awaiting results from the others. Sanders is not expected to make a statement tonight.

Biden praised his campaign staff and volunteers, "people working like the devil to get me elected." He also had positive words for Sanders, saying they have a common goal, "and together, we'll defeat Donald Trump." He applauded the "incredible" former rivals who have endorsed him -- Pete Buttigieg, Amy Klobuchar, Kamala Harris, and more.

"Today we are a step closer to restoring dignity, decency, and honor to the White House," he said. He promised to work for affordable health care for all, make sure all children get a high-quality education, stand up to gun manufacturers and the National Rifle Association, rejoin the Paris climate accord, and assure that the U.S. keeps its word to allies.

He noted that he was speaking near where the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution were written. "We've never fully lived up to the promise of either of those documents, but we've never, ever before walked away from them," he said. With Trump as president, "everything that has made America America is truly at stake," he said. He pledged to unite the country and end the divisiveness that has been sowed by Trump.

"We're a decent, brave, resilient people--we are better than this moment we are in," Biden said.

6:02 p.m. Pacific: Biden has been projected at the winner in Michigan, which had been considered Sanders's firewall after he beat Hillary Clinton there in the 2016 Democratic primary.

5:17 p.m. Pacific: Biden has been projected as the winner in Missouri.

5 p.m. Pacific: Polls have just closed in Mississippi, Missouri, and North Dakota. NBC News has projected Biden as the winner in Mississippi. Biden had strong support from African-American voters there. The others are too early to call.

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Trudy Ring

Trudy Ring is The Advocate’s senior politics editor and copy chief. She has been a reporter and editor for daily newspapers and LGBTQ+ weeklies/monthlies, trade magazines, and reference books. She is a political junkie who thinks even the wonkiest details are fascinating, and she always loves to see political candidates who are groundbreaking in some way. She enjoys writing about other topics as well, including religion (she’s interested in what people believe and why), literature, theater, and film. Trudy is a proud “old movie weirdo” and loves the Hollywood films of the 1930s and ’40s above all others. Other interests include classic rock music (Bruce Springsteen rules!) and history. Oh, and she was a Jeopardy! contestant back in 1998 and won two games. Not up there with Amy Schneider, but Trudy still takes pride in this achievement.
Trudy Ring is The Advocate’s senior politics editor and copy chief. She has been a reporter and editor for daily newspapers and LGBTQ+ weeklies/monthlies, trade magazines, and reference books. She is a political junkie who thinks even the wonkiest details are fascinating, and she always loves to see political candidates who are groundbreaking in some way. She enjoys writing about other topics as well, including religion (she’s interested in what people believe and why), literature, theater, and film. Trudy is a proud “old movie weirdo” and loves the Hollywood films of the 1930s and ’40s above all others. Other interests include classic rock music (Bruce Springsteen rules!) and history. Oh, and she was a Jeopardy! contestant back in 1998 and won two games. Not up there with Amy Schneider, but Trudy still takes pride in this achievement.