ST. PAUL (LEARFIELD) — He didn’t spend any money in Minnesota – and didn’t even visit – but former Vice President Joe Biden emerged victorious in the presidential primary Tuesday.
Biden was boosted by the endorsement from Minnesota Senator Amy Klobuchar after she ended her campaign.
“She was a rockstar and leaned in, in a heavy way to make sure we got through the hump here,” said Biden’s Minnesota spokesman Cory Day.
Klobuchar had been favored to win in her home state of Minnesota. Biden captured 38 percent of the vote, while Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders received about 30 percent. Elizabeth Warren received about 15 percent and former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg received 8 percent of the vote.
Sanders figured to win and he held a big rally in St. Paul Monday night. It didn’t turn out that way in the end.
Hamline University political science professor David Schultz says the moderate Democrats came together to support Biden.
“The more centrist forces of the Democratic party really convalesced around and convinced voters that Biden can win,” said Schultz.
Schultz is quick to point out though that some of the state’s Biden won, he will not win in November. But he adds the candidate could make a difference in states like Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, Pennsylvania and North Carolina.