Joe Biden cemented his status as the likely Democratic presidential nominee on Tuesday after defeating&nbsp;Bernie Sanders, 78, in Florida and Illinois on&nbsp;a coronavirus-hit primary night.

Biden has now crossed the halfway point in terms of earning a majority of delegates needed to become the nominee, post the string of victories in high-profile contests and his show of strength on Tuesday.

Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/i-will-appoint-a-woman-as-vice-president-if-elected-president-biden-286568">I will appoint a woman as vice president, if elected president: Biden</a>

The 77-year-old led 62 per cent to 23 per cent against his competitor Senator Bernie Sanders.

In Illinois, Biden was ahead 59 per cent to 36 per cent.

"Our campaign has had a very good night. We've moved closer to securing the Democratic Party's nomination for president, and we're doing it by building a broad coalition that we need to win in November," said&nbsp;Biden.

Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/debate-offers-biden-sanders-a-chance-to-bridge-democratic-partys-divide-286168">Debate offers Biden, Sanders a chance to bridge Democratic Party's divide</a>

Biden has long said that Americans do not want Sanders's political "revolution," they want "results".&nbsp;But he extended an olive branch Tuesday by appealing to Sanders supporters.

"To young voters who have been inspired by Senator Sanders ''I hear you,'" Biden said.

Biden said he and Sanders "share a common vision" to expand health insurance, address economic inequality and fight climate change.

Americans were also voting in Arizona. Biden has led in polling there and is expected to do well, according to poll&nbsp;experts.

A Biden victory&nbsp;would leave Sanders a gravely wounded candidate, having largely failed to reverse his fortunes after losing 18 of the last 23 contests.

Sanders delivered a 20-minute speech online on Tuesday focusing on addressing the coronavirus crisis, including injecting $2 trillion in funding to prevent deaths and "avoid an economic catastrophe."

On Tuesday Biden's delegate count stood at 1,121 compared to Sanders's 839.

A candidate needs 1,991 delegates to secure the Democratic nomination and face President Donald Trump in November's election.

Joe Biden cemented his status as the likely Democratic presidential nominee on Tuesday after defeating Bernie Sanders, 78, in Florida and Illinois on a coronavirus-hit primary night.

Joe Biden cemented his status as the likely Democratic presidential nominee on Tuesday after defeating Bernie Sanders, 78, in Florida and Illinois on a coronavirus-hit primary night. Biden has now crossed the halfway point in terms of earning a majority of delegates needed to become the nominee, post the string of victories in high-profile contests and his show of strength on Tuesday. Also read: I will appoint a woman as vice president, if elected president: Biden The 77-year-old led 62 per cent to 23 per cent against his competitor Senator Bernie Sanders. In Illinois, Biden was ahead 59 per cent to 36 per cent. "Our campaign has had a very good night. We've moved closer to securing the Democratic Party's nomination for president, and we're doing it by building a broad coalition that we need to win in November," said Biden. Also read: Debate offers Biden, Sanders a chance to bridge Democratic Party's divide Biden has long said that Americans do not want Sanders's political "revolution," they want "results". But he extended an olive branch Tuesday by appealing to Sanders supporters. "To young voters who have been inspired by Senator Sanders ''I hear you,'" Biden said. Biden said he and Sanders "share a common vision" to expand health insurance, address economic inequality and fight climate change. Americans were also voting in Arizona. Biden has led in polling there and is expected to do well, according to poll experts. A Biden victory would leave Sanders a gravely wounded candidate, having largely failed to reverse his fortunes after losing 18 of the last 23 contests. Sanders delivered a 20-minute speech online on Tuesday focusing on addressing the coronavirus crisis, including injecting $2 trillion in funding to prevent deaths and "avoid an economic catastrophe." On Tuesday Biden's delegate count stood at 1,121 compared to Sanders's 839. A candidate needs 1,991 delegates to secure the Democratic nomination and face President Donald Trump in November's election.

Biden scores big wins in Florida and Illinois primaries blighted by coronavirus

Joe Biden won the Arizona primary over Bernie Sanders, giving him a sweep of the three US states which voted on Tuesday to choose a Democratic candidate to face President Donald Trump in November.

As the United States grappled with combating the spreading coronavirus pandemic, voters handed the former vice president victory in delegate-rich Florida, as well as Illinois and Arizona.

Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/biden-scores-big-wins-in-florida-and-illinois-primaries-blighted-by-coronavirus-287091">Biden scores big wins in Florida and Illinois primaries blighted by coronavirus</a>

In Florida, the 77-year-old won 62 per cent to 23 per cent against Sanders, a 78-year-old self-described "democratic socialist" senator from Vermont.

Biden was ahead by 23 percentage points in Illinois, with 89 per cent of precincts reporting.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/i-will-appoint-a-woman-as-vice-president-if-elected-president-biden-286568">I will appoint a woman as vice president, if elected president: Biden</a>

"Our campaign has had a very good night. We've moved closer to securing the Democratic Party's nomination for president, and we're doing it by building a broad coalition that we need to win in November,"&nbsp;Biden said in televised remarks from his home in Delaware.

Biden now has a commanding lead in the all-important race for the delegates needed to become the nominee.

On Tuesday Biden's delegate count stood at 1,147 compared to Sanders's 861. A candidate needs 1,991 delegates to secure the Democratic nomination and face Trump in the November election.

Biden has long said that Americans want pragmatic results, not the political "revolution" advocated by Sanders.

Joe Biden won the Arizona primary over Bernie Sanders, giving him a sweep of the three US states which voted on Tuesday to choose a Democratic candidate to face President Donald Trump in November.

Joe Biden won the Arizona primary over Bernie Sanders, giving him a sweep of the three US states which voted on Tuesday to choose a Democratic candidate to face President Donald Trump in November. As the United States grappled with combating the spreading coronavirus pandemic, voters handed the former vice president victory in delegate-rich Florida, as well as Illinois and Arizona. Also read: Biden scores big wins in Florida and Illinois primaries blighted by coronavirus In Florida, the 77-year-old won 62 per cent to 23 per cent against Sanders, a 78-year-old self-described "democratic socialist" senator from Vermont. Biden was ahead by 23 percentage points in Illinois, with 89 per cent of precincts reporting. Also read: I will appoint a woman as vice president, if elected president: Biden "Our campaign has had a very good night. We've moved closer to securing the Democratic Party's nomination for president, and we're doing it by building a broad coalition that we need to win in November," Biden said in televised remarks from his home in Delaware. Biden now has a commanding lead in the all-important race for the delegates needed to become the nominee. On Tuesday Biden's delegate count stood at 1,147 compared to Sanders's 861. A candidate needs 1,991 delegates to secure the Democratic nomination and face Trump in the November election. Biden has long said that Americans want pragmatic results, not the political "revolution" advocated by Sanders.

Joe Biden wins Arizona for Democratic primary sweep

The face-off between former US Vice President Joe Biden and Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders begins on Tuesday for the Democratic candidate who would take on President Trump in the 2020 US elections.

The one-on-one showdown will be a test of&nbsp;abilities of the candidates to win in the crucial general election battleground state of Michigan where 125 delegates are on offer.

Watch: All you need to know about 'Super Tuesday', US Presidential Elections 2020

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The state, along with Idaho, Mississippi, Missouri, North Dakota and Washington, all vote on the second Super Tuesday of the primary.

Biden is expected to dominate in Mississippi, where African-American voters make up the majority of the Democratic electorate, and is looking to perform well in Missouri.&nbsp;

While Sanders&nbsp;is aiming to keep the delegate race close, though, with wins out West.

Watch: US Presidential Elections 2020: Joe Biden celebrates a 'Super Tuesday' with big wins

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If Biden wins, the race is scheduled to shift to a set of states that look even more favourable for him next Tuesday with Arizona, Florida, Illinois and Ohio putting him in position to lock in a lead that would be extremely difficult for Sanders to overcome.&nbsp;

Whereas, if Sanders wins, it would slow Biden's momentum and reset the race's narrative, suggesting Democrats are in for another drawn-out slugfest where every delegate matters.

Following the disappointing results on previous Super Tuesday, which saw Biden prevail in 10 of the 14 states holding primary elections, Sanders gave the presidential campaign a “reset” before the next one.

The US Senator repurposed his insurgent pitch for the White House on several fronts. These include a renewed push for dominance in the midwest before a crucial primary in Michigan on Tuesday.&nbsp;

He also discarded&nbsp;his aversion to negative political campaigning and sharpening his attacks on Biden, running TV attack adds over the former vice-president’s record of supporting social security cuts and free trade agreements, which could be particularly damaging in the midwestern states.

On Friday, he contrasted their records on everything from trade policy to gay rights and abortion rights, emphasizing those differences enough to overshadow an underlying point that they would make Biden vulnerable to attacks from President Donald Trump.

The face-off between former US Vice President Joe Biden and Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders begins on Tuesday for the Democratic candidate who would take on President Trump in the 2020 US elections.

The face-off between former US Vice President Joe Biden and Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders begins on Tuesday for the Democratic candidate who would take on President Trump in the 2020 US elections. The one-on-one showdown will be a test of abilities of the candidates to win in the crucial general election battleground state of Michigan where 125 delegates are on offer. Watch: All you need to know about 'Super Tuesday', US Presidential Elections 2020 The state, along with Idaho, Mississippi, Missouri, North Dakota and Washington, all vote on the second Super Tuesday of the primary. Biden is expected to dominate in Mississippi, where African-American voters make up the majority of the Democratic electorate, and is looking to perform well in Missouri. While Sanders is aiming to keep the delegate race close, though, with wins out West. Watch: US Presidential Elections 2020: Joe Biden celebrates a 'Super Tuesday' with big wins If Biden wins, the race is scheduled to shift to a set of states that look even more favourable for him next Tuesday with Arizona, Florida, Illinois and Ohio putting him in position to lock in a lead that would be extremely difficult for Sanders to overcome. Whereas, if Sanders wins, it would slow Biden's momentum and reset the race's narrative, suggesting Democrats are in for another drawn-out slugfest where every delegate matters. Following the disappointing results on previous Super Tuesday, which saw Biden prevail in 10 of the 14 states holding primary elections, Sanders gave the presidential campaign a “reset” before the next one. The US Senator repurposed his insurgent pitch for the White House on several fronts. These include a renewed push for dominance in the midwest before a crucial primary in Michigan on Tuesday. He also discarded his aversion to negative political campaigning and sharpening his attacks on Biden, running TV attack adds over the former vice-president’s record of supporting social security cuts and free trade agreements, which could be particularly damaging in the midwestern states. On Friday, he contrasted their records on everything from trade policy to gay rights and abortion rights, emphasizing those differences enough to overshadow an underlying point that they would make Biden vulnerable to attacks from President Donald Trump.

Biden, Sanders eye showdown in six states on Super Tuesday

For Bernie Sanders to remain competitive with Joe Biden in the battle for the Democratic presidential nomination, he'll have to repeat what he did four years ago: Win the Michigan primary.

This time around, that probably will be harder.

<img alt="Democratic U.S. presidential candidate and former Vice President Joe Biden" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="bd26ed8f-8fc5-4acb-911a-be036e2ab0a9" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Untitled%20design%20%2877%29_5.jpg" />

Ahead of Tuesday's vote, Biden is showing strength with the same kinds of voters that Sanders, a U.S senator from Vermont, relied upon in his surprise defeat of front-runner Hillary Clinton in the state in 2016.

Sanders goes into Michigan badly in need of a win after former Vice President Biden seized control of the race on Super Tuesday this week, winning a bevvy of Southern states as well as Massachusetts, Minnesota and Texas and causing rivals Michael Bloomberg and Elizabeth Warren to drop out.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/joe-biden-moves-ahead-in-us-presidential-race-scores-big-wins-on-super-tuesday-284077">Joe Biden moves ahead in US presidential race; scores big wins on Super Tuesday</a>

Michigan is the most competitive of the six states that hold nominating contests on Tuesday. It offers the largest number of the minimum 1,991 delegates a candidate needs to secure the nomination outright: 125. And it's a critical moment for Sanders to try to recapture momentum before the contest shifts to Florida and Illinois the following week.

In addition to Michigan, Washington state, Mississippi, Missouri and Idaho will be holding primary elections on Tuesday. North Dakota will hold caucuses.

A Sanders loss in Michigan could give Biden an insurmountable lead as the state-by-state nominating process moves into friendly territory for the man best remembered as No. 2 in President Barack Obama's historic administration.

The state also greatly matters for Nov. 3 general election. It flipped Republican in 2016, voting for now-President Donald Trump over Clinton by just over 10,000 votes.

Also see:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-replaces-acting-chief-of-staff-mulvaney-with-north-carolina-lawmaker-284889">Trump replaces acting chief of staff Mulvaney with North Carolina lawmaker</a>

"Michigan is your got-to-win state," said Adam Hollier, an African-American state senator from Detroit who is backing Biden.

Biden parlayed his popularity with black voters into huge gains on Super Tuesday, winning 70% of African-American voters in Alabama and Virginia and 60% in North Carolina and Texas, according to exit polls from Edison Research.

They will be crucial in Michigan, where they comprise almost 14% of the population. Some areas of Detroit are 80% African-American.

"When you look at what he did all across the South, those same demographics are going to be at play in Detroit," Hollier said.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/melania-trump-tweets-about-white-house-tennis-pavilion-as-us-battles-coronavirus-284927">Melania Trump tweets about White House tennis pavilion as US battles coronavirus&nbsp;</a>

Sanders cancelled plans to campaign in Mississippi this weekend, focusing instead on Michigan.

UNION LABELS

Sanders may have better luck with union voters in manufacturing-heavy Michigan. He won the state's white working-class voters in 2016, and they remain a reliable part of his base.

Richard Cassel, 28, lost his job as an auto engineer in Detroit last month. That same week, he walked into a Sanders campaign office and volunteered to work the phones.

"For me, Biden is just more of the same. The middle class is working professionals, and everyone else is slowly drowning," Cassel said.

Watch:&nbsp;

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But Biden has long-standing ties to labour unions and routinely talks about how the middle-class and union members built the nation.

The powerful United Auto Workers Union has yet to endorse any candidate, but its spokesman, Brian Rothenberg, said it supports the idea of universal healthcare. Sanders has made a government-run healthcare system, Medicare for All, the heart of his campaign.

"The high cost of healthcare is one of the impacts when you're bargaining, so universal healthcare would actually give you a better ability to bargain at the table," Rothenberg said.

Not all of Sanders' positions play well with the state's unions, though. In particular, he has called for the closure of a 66-year-old crude oil pipeline that runs below portions of the Great Lakes, as part of his sweeping plan to swiftly end the U.S. fossil fuel economy to fight climate change.

"It's going to cost (Sanders) a lot of support in our union," said Terry Gilligan, business manager of Detroit Pipefitters Local 636.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-says-us-economy-could-take-hit-from-coronavirus-284605">Trump says US economy could take hit from coronavirus</a>

And two Michigan chapters of the United Food and Commercial Workers Union endorsed Biden on Friday.

Sanders is running ads in Michigan criticizing Biden over his past support for global trade deals such as the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). Biden, in turn, argues that he was a key player in the 2009 auto industry bailout that rescued jobs in the state.

RURAL RUN

In 2016, Sanders performed surprisingly well in the wealthy suburbs outside Detroit and blew Clinton away in rural counties. But there is evidence he won’t do that again this time.

On Super Tuesday, Biden consistently beat Sanders in suburbs outside of cities including Charlotte, North Carolina, and Houston.

Also see:<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/after-bloomberg-elizabeth-warren-ends-us-presidential-campaign-284596">&nbsp;After Bloomberg, Elizabeth Warren ends US presidential campaign</a>

And in rural regions of Minnesota, a Midwestern state like Michigan with a largely white population, Biden smashed Sanders, 43% to 19%, according to exit polls.

This weekend, Biden's campaign will deploy former presidential candidate Amy Klobuchar, a senator from Minnesota, to stump in Grand Rapids – and area that Sanders won in 2016.

Dawn Bryant, 40, a General Motors Co &lt;GM.N&gt; factory worker who was laid off earlier this year, said she was torn between Sanders and Biden.

"I'm divided. I'm not sure. I'm going to keep watching and weighing my options on both of the candidates," she said. "It's a tough, tough call."

For Bernie Sanders to remain competitive with Joe Biden in the battle for the Democratic presidential nomination, he'll have to repeat what he did four years ago: Win the Michigan primary.

For Bernie Sanders to remain competitive with Joe Biden in the battle for the Democratic presidential nomination, he'll have to repeat what he did four years ago: Win the Michigan primary. This time around, that probably will be harder. Ahead of Tuesday's vote, Biden is showing strength with the same kinds of voters that Sanders, a U.S senator from Vermont, relied upon in his surprise defeat of front-runner Hillary Clinton in the state in 2016. Sanders goes into Michigan badly in need of a win after former Vice President Biden seized control of the race on Super Tuesday this week, winning a bevvy of Southern states as well as Massachusetts, Minnesota and Texas and causing rivals Michael Bloomberg and Elizabeth Warren to drop out. Also read: Joe Biden moves ahead in US presidential race; scores big wins on Super Tuesday Michigan is the most competitive of the six states that hold nominating contests on Tuesday. It offers the largest number of the minimum 1,991 delegates a candidate needs to secure the nomination outright: 125. And it's a critical moment for Sanders to try to recapture momentum before the contest shifts to Florida and Illinois the following week. In addition to Michigan, Washington state, Mississippi, Missouri and Idaho will be holding primary elections on Tuesday. North Dakota will hold caucuses. A Sanders loss in Michigan could give Biden an insurmountable lead as the state-by-state nominating process moves into friendly territory for the man best remembered as No. 2 in President Barack Obama's historic administration. The state also greatly matters for Nov. 3 general election. It flipped Republican in 2016, voting for now-President Donald Trump over Clinton by just over 10,000 votes. Also see: Trump replaces acting chief of staff Mulvaney with North Carolina lawmaker "Michigan is your got-to-win state," said Adam Hollier, an African-American state senator from Detroit who is backing Biden. Biden parlayed his popularity with black voters into huge gains on Super Tuesday, winning 70% of African-American voters in Alabama and Virginia and 60% in North Carolina and Texas, according to exit polls from Edison Research. They will be crucial in Michigan, where they comprise almost 14% of the population. Some areas of Detroit are 80% African-American. "When you look at what he did all across the South, those same demographics are going to be at play in Detroit," Hollier said. Also read: Melania Trump tweets about White House tennis pavilion as US battles coronavirus Sanders cancelled plans to campaign in Mississippi this weekend, focusing instead on Michigan. UNION LABELS Sanders may have better luck with union voters in manufacturing-heavy Michigan. He won the state's white working-class voters in 2016, and they remain a reliable part of his base. Richard Cassel, 28, lost his job as an auto engineer in Detroit last month. That same week, he walked into a Sanders campaign office and volunteered to work the phones. "For me, Biden is just more of the same. The middle class is working professionals, and everyone else is slowly drowning," Cassel said. Watch: × But Biden has long-standing ties to labour unions and routinely talks about how the middle-class and union members built the nation. The powerful United Auto Workers Union has yet to endorse any candidate, but its spokesman, Brian Rothenberg, said it supports the idea of universal healthcare. Sanders has made a government-run healthcare system, Medicare for All, the heart of his campaign. "The high cost of healthcare is one of the impacts when you're bargaining, so universal healthcare would actually give you a better ability to bargain at the table," Rothenberg said. Not all of Sanders' positions play well with the state's unions, though. In particular, he has called for the closure of a 66-year-old crude oil pipeline that runs below portions of the Great Lakes, as part of his sweeping plan to swiftly end the U.S. fossil fuel economy to fight climate change. "It's going to cost (Sanders) a lot of support in our union," said Terry Gilligan, business manager of Detroit Pipefitters Local 636. Also read: Trump says US economy could take hit from coronavirus And two Michigan chapters of the United Food and Commercial Workers Union endorsed Biden on Friday. Sanders is running ads in Michigan criticizing Biden over his past support for global trade deals such as the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). Biden, in turn, argues that he was a key player in the 2009 auto industry bailout that rescued jobs in the state. RURAL RUN In 2016, Sanders performed surprisingly well in the wealthy suburbs outside Detroit and blew Clinton away in rural counties. But there is evidence he won’t do that again this time. On Super Tuesday, Biden consistently beat Sanders in suburbs outside of cities including Charlotte, North Carolina, and Houston. Also see: After Bloomberg, Elizabeth Warren ends US presidential campaign And in rural regions of Minnesota, a Midwestern state like Michigan with a largely white population, Biden smashed Sanders, 43% to 19%, according to exit polls. This weekend, Biden's campaign will deploy former presidential candidate Amy Klobuchar, a senator from Minnesota, to stump in Grand Rapids – and area that Sanders won in 2016. Dawn Bryant, 40, a General Motors Co <GM.N> factory worker who was laid off earlier this year, said she was torn between Sanders and Biden. "I'm divided. I'm not sure. I'm going to keep watching and weighing my options on both of the candidates," she said. "It's a tough, tough call."

Sanders needs Michigan win in U.S presidential race, but Biden looking strong with key voting blocs

That’s the implication of Biden’s resounding victory in South Carolina. And Pete Buttigieg and Amy Klobuchar — to their credit — have both acknowledged this reality by dropping out of the race.

Today Tonight: Its Joe Biden Vs Bernie Sanders