By Ruth Ferguson, NDG Editor
“By gosh, I think we can!”
This has to be what former Vice President Joe Biden is thinking the morning after Super Tuesday votes were counted. He nearly won states coast to coast, an achievement considered laughable seven days ago.
Whether he ultimately gains the party nomination or not, they will study the results of March 3, 2020, for years to come in poly-sci classes. Biden spent no money in some states, barely campaigned there – and yet he won. He reportedly had one office in the state of California, whatever delegates he gains from there will a victory for his campaign.
Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders reportedly saw the writing on the wall in South Carolina and left the state several days before the primary held on Feb. 29. When the nation realized Biden not only won but gained nearly 50 percent of the vote, in the Southern state, the race flipped on a dime.
Suddenly candidates dropped out of the race – Tom Steyer, Mayor Pete Buttigieg, and Senator Amy Klobuchar. And just like Iowa’s victory in 2008 propelled former President Barack Obama’s improbable campaign forward by assuring Black voters he could win; it seems the support of Black voters in South Carolina at least temporarily injected hope (and money) into Biden’s bid.
The event held in Dallas on Monday night appears to have helped propel Biden to victory. Earlier Mayor Pete threw his support to Biden, but the appearance of Senator Klobuchar with a hearty endorsement certainly helped him win her home state of Minnesota.
Then came the surprise of the night – former U.S. Representative Beto O’Rourke. Although considered a more progressive member of the party, also enthusiastically supported Biden. For voters who decided on Election Day, Biden ran away with the votes.
Sanders clearly is the favorite of the progressive wing of the party and Hispanics. For Biden to ultimately win the general election, those key delegations will have to be persuaded.
Head-scratching pundits are suggesting Biden won the Black vote, and the older more pragmatic wing of the party who are skeptical about the idea of free healthcare and college.
As one talking head suggested, Americans want less of a revolution and more of a restoration.
Texas races
In the bid to unseat U.S. Senator John Coryn, who handedly won the GOP race, MJ Hegar despite support from the national party and others, could not close the deal with voters. After gaining 22.4 percent of the ballots cast, she is headed to a runoff against Texas Senator Royce West or Cristina Tzintzun Ramirez at this point the race for second place is too close to call.
- S. Congressional District 24 will hold a runoff race with Kim Olson (38.61 percent) versus Candace Valenzuela (31.22 percent).
- Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson walked away with the primary victory in U.S. Congressional District 30 win by 70.58 percent of the votes. Congressman Marc Veasey did the same in District 33 with 56.81 percent.
- For the Supreme Court Justice Place 7 was won by Staci Williams with 74.31 percent vote.
- Texas State Rep. District 100 is headed for a runoff, for the second time this year, with recently elected Lorraine Birabil facing challenger Jasmine Felicia Crockett.
- For Criminal District Judge, Court No. 3, the three-way race is narrowed to two with Teresa Jan Hawthorne (39.21 percent) versus Audra Ladawn Riley (33.61 percent).
- Dallas County Sheriff Marian Brown easily won the nomination with 58.90 percent of the vote.
