Joe Biden wins Democratic primary in Arizona

PHOENIX — The leading candidate to win the presidential nomination for the Democratic Party scored a victory in Arizona on Tuesday.

Joe Biden won the state’s Democratic presidential preference primary, The Associated Press confirmed.

The victory helped extend the former Vice President’s delegate lead over Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders, which grew after a strong showing during Super Tuesday and last week’s primaries.

Arizona gives out a total of 67 delegates. The state party will award delegates to candidates in proportion to the number of votes they receive.

Hillary Clinton won Arizona’s Democratic primary by about a 15 percentage point margin over Sanders in 2016 and became the party’s presidential candidate.

The Republicans did not have a primary in the state this election cycle.

The state’s Democratic primary was completed despite a turbulent lead up because of ongoing coronavirus concerns.

Arizona moved and closed polling places ahead of Tuesday because of coronavirus.

Maricopa County Recorder Adrian Fontes announced on Friday the county would send out ballots to all eligible voters — including those who didn’t request an early ballot — for the primary to limit person-to-person interaction.

That move was legally stopped later in the day by Arizona Attorney General Mark Brnovich.

Secretary of State Katie Hobbs said Monday that the state wouldn’t adjust the date of the primary because there was no guarantee for a safer election in the future.

Three other states — Ohio, Illinois and Florida — also held primaries on Tuesday.

Biden had already won in Florida and Illinois, with the Florida victory likely earning him the most delegates.

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