President Joe Biden won enough delegates on Tuesday to secure the Democratic Party's nomination, paving the way for a rematch with former President Donald Trump, who also won the Washington primary, marking the first presidential election rematch in nearly 70 years, news agency Reuters reported on Wednesday morning.
Biden reached the required 1,968 delegates, with primary results rolling in from Georgia and expected outcomes from Mississippi, Washington state, the Northern Mariana Islands, and Democrats abroad, Reuters reported citing Edison Research (a research firm).
Following this development, Biden released a statement criticising Trump's approach, labeling it as a "campaign of resentment, revenge, and retribution" that threatens American ideals. He urged voters to choose between defending democracy or allowing extremism to erode it further, Reuters reported.
Meanwhile, Trump also won the Republican presidential primary in Washington.
He was anticipated to secure the Republican Party's nomination later in the day as four states conducted contests, including Georgia, where he faces legal challenges over his attempts to overturn the 2020 election.
The nomination outcome for Trump was virtually assured after his main rival, former UN Ambassador Nikki Haley, ended her presidential bid following Trump's strong performance during Super Tuesday.
Both candidates focused on key issues during their recent rallies in Georgia, according to Reuters. Trump reiterated claims of election fraud while targeting Biden over immigration policies, intending to make it a central issue as in the 2020 campaign.
In contrast, Biden's campaign adopted a more aggressive stance, announcing a tour of battleground states accompanied by a significant ad spend of $30 million. The campaign reported a $10 million fundraising surge following Biden's recent State of the Union address, bolstering Democrats' financial advantage.
Trump needs 139 more delegates to meet the required 1,215 for the Republican nomination, with 161 delegates at stake in Georgia, Hawaii, Mississippi, and Washington state.
The last repeat presidential matchup occurred in 1956, between Republican President Dwight Eisenhower and Democrat Adlai Stevenson.
According to reports, this year, voter enthusiasm for a rematch appears subdued, with Reuters/Ipsos polls indicating both candidates face disapproval from the majority. Trump's legal entanglements, including 91 felony charges across four indictments, could further dent his support, particularly among suburban, educated voters.
Trump's impending criminal trial in New York, scheduled for March 25, adds uncertainty to the electoral landscape, with legal proceedings potentially impacting his campaign.
Meanwhile, concerns about Biden's age and handling of issues such as the border crisis pose challenges for his candidacy. Despite presiding over economic growth and stock market highs, Biden faces criticism over inflation and pandemic-related economic struggles.
As the election season unfolds, the economy, immigration, and legal battles are expected to shape the narrative as voters weigh their options ahead of November 5.