New York Mayor Mike Bloomberg’s departure from the 2020 Democratic presidential race on Wednesday sets the stage for a Joe Biden and Bernie Sanders showdown in the remaining March primary contests, including Illinois’ on March 17.
The Chicago Sun-Times has learned that Sanders could be holding a rally in Chicago as early as this weekend.
Sanders will rally supporters in Rockford on March 10 at the Coronado Performing Arts Center. Sanders, who narrowly lost the 2016 Democratic primary in Illinois to Hillary Clinton, has a strong base in the state. In March, 2019 — at a very early event for his presidential bid — he drew more than 10,000 to a rally at Navy Pier. He also came to Chicago to back the Chicago Teachers Union during their strike.
Biden hits Chicago on March 13 for a mid-day fundraiser and likely other campaign events. The hosts include John Atkinson, who was a major Pete Buttigieg fundraiser until the ex- South Bend Mayor folded his bid on Sunday.
Biden vaulted from underdog to frontrunner in a stunning comeback starting with his South Carolina landslide on Saturday. In the Super Tuesday voting, Biden won nine states, Sanders three with two states results still being counted. Biden will hold a delegate lead after Tuesday. Whether Elizabeth Warren remains in the contest remains to be seen.
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