Biden triumphs in Democratic primaries in South Carolina with 96,2% of the votes, consolidating the support of African Americans, a fundamental minority for the Dems. In this state, 55 delegates are at stake out of the 2.000 needed to win the Democratic nomination for the presidential elections in November.
Biden's victory in Columbia is not surprising, with the US president having obtained a victory overwhelming against two smaller rivals: Marianne Williamson received just over 2% and Dean Phillips just under. The main focus, however, is on voter turnout, seen as a beacon of Biden's popularity.
Why does Biden's victory in South Carolina matter?
South Carolina, historically anchored to the Republican camp, thus becomes the stage for a challenge that goes beyond traditional boundaries and seeks to broaden the political playing field.
This state, fundamental in Biden's victorious 2020 campaign, becomes a sort of thermometer to evaluate how much of the support obtained then remained. Although current polls indicate that his support among the African Americans in six states considered in the swing it dropped to 71% (against 92% in 2020), the percentage of support nevertheless remains significant: with a 13% increase in the participation of black voters compared to four years ago. Even with some voters dissatisfied with the results obtained in the Biden administration, many expressed their vote as an act of opposition against Trump. Looking to the future and the general election, Biden declared that this is not just a campaign, but a mission that goes "beyond" and that the Trump's reelection it is something we “absolutely cannot afford”.
At the moment, the American media, including CNN, give the president of the United States over 90% of the votes. Now it remains to be seen whether these indications will be confirmed. Meanwhile, Biden celebrates the good result, waiting for the Republican primaries scheduled in South Carolina on February 24, where former governor Nikki Haley will once again try to challenge front-runner Donald Trump. The next stop for the Democrats will be February 6th in Nevada, where the Republican candidates will face each other two days later.
