Joe Biden, Donald Trump cruise to Pennsylvania primary wins amid protests and pandemic

The former V.P. outpaced Sen. Bernie Sanders, who had suspended his campaign in April; The president defeats two unknowns

People wait to vote at Cook Wissahickon School in Roxborough on Tuesday, June 2, 2020. Those who cast ballots in person practiced social distancing and wore masks, as did poll workers, because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Staff photo/PhillyVoice

Joe Biden is the winner of Pennsylvania's Democratic primary election, and on the Republican side, President Donald Trump moved ahead unabated.

The Associated Press declared the former vice president to President Barack Obama the winner less than 30 minutes after the polls closed at 8 p.m. on Tuesday. Biden was on the Ballot with Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders and Hawaii Rep. Tulsi Gabbard, both of whom had already suspended their campaigns.

  • RESULTS: Democratic Presidential Primary
  • Joe Biden: 547,996 (77.53%)
  • Bernie Sanders: 132,504 (18.75%)
  • Tulsi Gabbard: 26,339 (3.73%)
  • 91.04% of precincts reporting; All results are unofficial until certified by the state

Biden campaigned on a platform that seeks to enhance the Affordable Care Act with a public option, increase the minimum wage, build a labor-friendly climate agenda and make higher education more accessible for all. He also has called for greater protections for essential workers during the COVID-19 crisis and urged police reform to address systemic racism in the criminal justice system, which he spoke about in Philadelphia on Tuesday morning.

Biden became the presumptive Democratic pick to run against President Donald Trump in November's eleciton after Sanders suspended his campaign in early April. Gabbard also remained on Democratic ballot. She suspended her campaign in March and has endorsed Joe Biden.

  • RESULTS: Republican Presidential Primary
  • Donald Trump: 732,742 (94.5%)
  • Rocky De La Fuente: 10,291 (1.33%)
  • Bill Weld: 32,354 (4.17%)
  • 91.04% of precincts reporting; All results are unofficial until certified by the state

The longtime Delaware senator has positioned himself as the most experienced and qualified candidate to defeat Trump in November's general election. Biden entered Tuesday's primaries — covering eight states and Washington, D.C. — with a 10-point lead over Trump in an ABC News/Washington Post poll released Sunday.

The president easily outpaced two unknowns, Rocky De La Fuente and Bill Weld.

Due to the unprecedented volume of mail-in ballots, exact totals for Pennsylvania's primary races won't be known for several days. Approximately 1.8 million Pennsylvania voters requested mail-in ballots for the primary election, a trend driven by the uncertainties of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. 

In Pennsylvania, Biden's Scranton roots are regarded as an advantage in what will again be a battleground state in 2020. Though he has faced criticism for his age, legislative record and allegations of past misconduct, Biden has maintained a strong base of support among black, suburban and blue-collar voters. His struggles attracting younger voters may see him adopt more progressive stances as the election nears.

Even with Sanders' campaign suspended, Biden has lacked the necessary 1,991 delegates needed to seal the Democratic nomination. Sanders pledged to remain on all primary ballots in order to influence the party's platform at the Democratic National Convention in Milwaukee in August.

With 479 delegates up for grabs in Tuesday's primaries, Biden swept Tuesday night's primaries and came within striking distance of the official nomination. He entered the night with 1,556 delegates and emerged Wednesday morning with just 1,903, needing just 88 more. Pennsylvania had 186 delegates at stake.

Find more PhillyVoice coverage of the 2020 Pennsylvania Primary Election below.


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Six Democrats vie to be candidate for Pennsylvania auditor general

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