Sanders suspends campaign, Biden becomes presumptive Democratic nominee


Ballotpedia's Daily Presidential News Briefing
April 9, 2020: Bernie Sanders suspends his presidential campaign. New Jersey postpones its primary from June 2 to July 7. blank    blankblank   


Ballotpedia is monitoring changes made to election dates and procedures in response to the coronavirus pandemic.

Here are the presidential primary updates you need to know:

  • New Jersey: Gov. Phil Murphy issued an executive order on Wednesday postponing the statewide primary from June 2 to July 7.


Notable Quote of the Day

“In Biden and Trump, voters will choose between two white septuagenarians with dramatically different prescriptions for health care, climate change, foreign policy and leadership in an era of extreme partisanship.

At 77, Biden becomes the oldest major party presidential nominee in modern history. And having spent most of his life as an elected official in Washington, no nominee has had more experience in government.

But in Trump, Biden is up against an adversary the likes of which he has never faced in his decadeslong political career. The 73-year-old Republican president opens with a massive cash advantage and a well-established willingness to win at any cost.”

– Steve Peoples, Associated Press

Democrats

  • Bernie Sanders suspended his presidential campaign on Wednesday. He said in a video statement to supporters, “I wish I could give you better news, but I think you know the truth. We are now some 300 delegates behind Vice President Biden and the path toward victory is virtually impossible.” Sanders said he would remain on upcoming primary ballots to win more delegates to influence the party platform at the Democratic National Convention.

  • With a plurality of pledged delegatesJoe Biden has become the presumptive Democratic nominee. To officially win the nomination, a candidate needs to secure 1,991 pledged delegates.

  • The Lincoln Project, a group of anti-Trump Republicans, endorsed Biden on Wednesday. Sen. Tom Udall (N.M.) and Rep. Katie Porter (Calif.) also endorsed him.

  • The Democratic National Committee is beginning to discuss a joint fundraising agreement with the Biden campaign, CNBC reported.

Republicans

  • Donald Trump tweeted that Sanders supporters should join the Republican Party. He also said Sen. Elizabeth Warren was the reason Sanders lost several Super Tuesday states.

Flashback: April 9, 2016

Bernie Sanders won the Wyoming caucuses with 55.7 percent of the vote, defeating Hillary Clinton by 11 points.blank

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