US Presidential Elections 2024: Biden, Trump set for rematch as both win enough primary delegates

Joe Biden on Tuesday (Mar 12)secured enough delegates to clinch the Democratic Party's nomination for the upcoming US presidential elections in 2024. Hours later, his rival, formerpresident Donald Trump, too clinched the Republican nomination. With these wins, they have set the stage forthe US' first election rematch in nearly 70 years.

Before this, the last repeat presidential matchup, as per Reuters, happenedin 1956, when Republican President Dwight Eisenhower defeated former Illinois Governor Adlai Stevenson, a Democrat, for the second time.

How many delegates has Biden won?

To win the Democratic nomination, a candidate must secure a minimum of 1,969 delegates out of the overall 3,979.

Biden surpassed the delegate requirement needed for the nomination on Tuesday, according to Edison Research. As per the latest tally, he has won 2,011 delegates.

This milestone was reached as results from the primary contest in Georgia came in. Additional results are expected from Mississippi, Washington state, the Northern Mariana Islands, and Democrats living abroad, which may increase Biden's delegates further.

What about Trump?

Trump, who needed 1,215 delegates, hasclinched the Republican presidential nomination by securing1,228 delegates as of Tuesday (Mar 12) evening.

Several states, including Georgia, Hawaii, Mississippi, and Washington state, held primaries on Tuesday, offering 161 delegates.

Democratic Party committees celebrateBiden's win

The chairs of the Democratic National Committee (DNC) and Democratic National Convention Committee as per CNN celebrated Biden's status as the presumptive Democratic nominee for president on Tuesday.

DNC Chair Jaime Harrison praised Biden, saying that the incumbent president "understands that our freedoms, our democracy, and the very future of our country are at stake".

Harrison expressed confidence that "once again," Biden would "meet this moment and bring Democrats together this November."

He added the committee looks forward to "our convention in Chicago where we will officially nominate Joe Biden and Kamala Harris as our nominees for President and Vice President of the United States. Let’s finish the job."

Democratic National Convention Committee Chair Minyon Moore also highlighted the convention in Chicago, where delegates from all 57 US states and territories will gather to nominate Biden and Harris in August.

"As we face another battle for the soul of our nation, we encourage every American to tune in to the Democratic National Convention this summer to celebrate the Biden-Harris ticket and rally around Democrats' vision of a free and fair America," said Moore.

(With inputs from agencies)