U.S. President Joe Biden secured a decisive win in the South Carolina Democratic primary, marking the official kickoff of the party’s nominating season.
Edison Research reported that Biden garnered an impressive 96.4% of the votes with 93.3% of precincts reporting, leaving his two main challengers, U.S. Representative Dean Phillips and self-help author Marianne Williamson, far behind.
This victory holds significant importance as South Carolina’s Black electorate, which comprises more than half of the Democratic voter base, reaffirmed its support for Biden. Notably, the state played a pivotal role in Biden’s 2020 campaign, with the Black vote propelling him to the White House.
Despite concerns about voter turnout falling short of expectations, Democratic officials had anticipated between 100,000 and 200,000 total votes.
In a statement, the Biden campaign expressed gratitude to the voters of South Carolina, asserting that they had set the stage for winning the presidency once again.
The victory in South Carolina comes amid questions about Biden’s popularity, particularly among Black voters. Some voters expressed lukewarm sentiments, with concerns about Biden’s visibility and speculation about his age and physical condition.
Biden, an incumbent facing little competition within his party, has already shifted into general-election mode, focusing on attacking former President Donald Trump in his speeches.
The focus now shifts to the upcoming Republican presidential nominating battle in South Carolina on Feb. 24, where Trump is heavily favored to secure his party’s nomination.
