Biodun Iginla, BBC News

Biodun Iginla, BBC News

Saturday, February 27, 2016

South Carolina holds primary in Democratic race


  • 12 minutes ago

by Melissa Gruz and Biodun Iginla, BBC News, Columbia, South Carolina
People arrive to vote in the South Carolina Democratic primary in Columbia, South Carolina 27/02/2016.Image copyright AFP
Image caption Polling stations are open for 12 hours until 19:00 local time (24:00 GMT)
Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders are facing off in the South Carolina primary, the latest battleground for the Democratic presidential nomination.
Mrs Clinton is seen as the favourite to clinch the state.
But on the eve of the vote, Mr Sanders was endorsed by Robert Reich, a former official in Bill Clinton's presidential administration.
Both contenders are hoping to build momentum ahead of "Super Tuesday" primaries in 11 states next week.
South Carolina is the Democrats' fourth nominating contest since the primaries began on 1 February.
Read more: On the campaign bus with Hillary Clinton
"The South Carolina primary is personally important to me because I want to send a strong signal that South Carolina is ready for change, ready for progress, ready to make a difference,'' Mrs Clinton, 68, told a rally in the state capital Columbia on Friday.
Eight years ago, she lost the state overwhelmingly to then Senator Barack Obama.
Democratic presidential candidate Bernie Sanders meets guests after a rally at Claflin University 26/02/2016 in Orangeburg, South Carolina.Image copyright Getty Images
Image caption Bernie Sanders is believed to have invested few resources in South Carolina , focussing on other states
Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton takes the stage to rally with supporters at a local politician's annual oyster roast and fish fry in Orangeburg, South Carolina 26/02/2016Image copyright Reuters
Image caption Hundreds of mostly African American voters gathered for an annual oyster roast and fish fry visited by both candidates
Observers say a victory here would also establish Mrs Clinton as the firm favourite among black voters, a key section of the Democratic electorate, and set her up to garner a big haul of delegates in Super Tuesday contests in the South.
Rival Bernie Sanders, 74, a veteran senator from Vermont, is not expected to do well in South Carolina and commentators say he has struggled to gain traction.
On the Republican side, billionaire Donald Trump leads a field that has dwindled to five from 12 a month ago. He won the Nevada caucus on Wednesday by a wide margin - correspondents say he is beginning to look unstoppable.

Key dates to come

US2016 banner
1 March - "Super Tuesday" - 15 states or territories decide
18-21 July - Republican convention, nominee picked
25-28 July - Democratic convention, nominee picked
8 November - US presidential elections
In depth: Primary calendar

Democratic road to the White House

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