KENT COUNTY, Mich. — The race for the Democratic presidential nomination has been changing rapidly since the South Carolina primary.
After the race was called, Tom Steyer and Pete Buttigieg suspended their campaigns.
Former Vice President Joe Biden’s South Carolina victory could put him in prime position to emerge as a real challenger to Senator Bernie Sanders, who has carried momentum as the Democratic front runner since Iowa.
“The fact that Joe Biden won so decisively in South Carolina really is going to help him make the case that he’s the best alternative to Bernie,” Political Expert Abigail Vegter said.
Calvin University Political Science Professor Abigail Vegter says it could be a two-person race after Super Tuesday.
But if results are tighter, the spotlight shifts to Michigan.
“I think what’s more likely is that you are going to see Bernie holding on to his lead and one clear candidate coming as his main challenger,” Vegter explained.
“If no one comes out as that clear challenger, Michigan might be very important to see who wins this state, it speaks to their ability to win in the general as well,” Vegter added.
After Super Tuesday nearly half the available delegates will have been awarded.
Michigan has proven to a be key battleground state, garnering the attention of President Donald Trump and now his democratic challengers.
“Donald Trump ended his campaign in 2016 in Kent County, really speaking to the point that voters here are extremely important,” she said.
“If a candidate can win Michigan, especially Kent County, it speaks to their ability to flip some of those counties, cities that have been shifting bluer in recent years especially since 2016,” she explained.
Super Tuesday will also be the first time Mike Bloomberg will be on the ballot, the former NYC Mayor has spent a historic amount an advertising thus far.
“He can stay in until the end, he has the money to do that, if he will or not that is yet to be seen, if Super Tuesday goes poorly for him which polls suggest it most likely will, he may answer to calls to step down but like I said he doesn’t have to,” she said.
Senators Elizabeth Warren and Amy Klobuchar are the only other candidates to have pledged delegates thus far.
Warren is scheduled to visit the east side of the state this week.
