New Hampshire primary results: Bernie Sanders wins vote as Democratic field thins out

New Hampshire Rally: Elizabeth Warren battles to stay in the Democratic race

Bernie Sanders won the New Hampshire Democratic presidential primaries, declaring victory in the first-in-the-nation vote and paving an even clearer potential path to securing the nomination and moving onto the general election against Donald Trump.

After essentially tying in Iowa last week, the strong showings from Pete Buttigieg, who appeared to place in second, and Mr Sanders cemented their status at the top of the 2020 Democratic field.

And an unexpectedly strong performance from Amy Klobuchar gave her a stronger path out of New Hampshire as the contest moves on to the gantlet of state-by-state primary contests that lie ahead.

The strength of Mr Sanders and Mr Buttigieg was matched in reverse by the struggle of former Vice President Joe Biden, who spent most of the last year as the Democrats’ national front-runner but fled New Hampshire hours before polls closed anticipating a bad finish.

With final returns ahead, he was competing for fourth place with Elizabeth Warren, a disappointing turn for the senator from neighbouring Massachusetts.

Neither Mr Biden nor Ms Warren were on track to receive any delegates.

“So many of you chose to meet a new era of challenge with a new generation of leadership,” Mr Buttigieg said.

Meanwhile, Mr Sanders boasted of “a movement from coast to coast ... to defeat the most dangerous president."

Meanwhile, two candidates dropped out amid the crucial New Hampshire vote.

Michael Bennet, a Colorado Senator and former 2020 hopeful, told supporters on Tuesday: “I love you, New Hampshire. Whether you knew it or not, we were having a great time together.”

He added: “I think it’s fitting for us to end the campaign tonight.”

The announcement came just after Andrew Yang, another low-polling Democratic presidential candidate, announced he was suspending his campaign amid the first-in-the-nation primary.

“They’ve decided tonight, and tonight is not going to be our night, but let me say this to New Hampshire: You may see me once again, so thank you”, Mr Bennet said.

Mr Yang, who announced the suspension of his candidacy just moments before Mr Bennet, was the last candidate of colour to qualify for the debate stages, effectively leaving a still-crowded field of all-white candidates vying for the Democratic nomination.

Additional reporting by Associated Press. See live updates from the New Hampshire primaries as they came in below.

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Key Points

• Bernie Sanders holds lead during first-in-the-nation primary
• Amy Klobuchar sees polling surge into third place
• Joe Biden slips in the polls to fifth place
• Elizabeth Warren campaign releases attack memo claiming underdog status in crowded race

[12 February 2020 04:20 · Chris Riotta]

Here's more from The Independent's Andrew Buncombe on Amy Klobuchar's speech:

Minnesota senator Amy Klobuchar has insisted she can defeat Donald Trump in November, after he stormed to third place in New Hampshire and threw a lifeline to her campaign. 

After coming fifth in Iowa, the 59-year-old badly needed a result in the Granite state if her long-shot campaign was to push forward.

She did that, pushing into a strong third place, behind Bernie Sanders and Pete Buttigieg, but well clear of Elizabeth Warren.

In her speech to supporters, Ms Warren had praised Ms Klobuchar.

“I also want to congratulate my friend and colleague Amy Klobuchar for showing just how wrong the pundits can be when they count a woman out,” she said to loud applause.

[12 February 2020 04:35 · Chris Riotta]

The Independent's Holly Baxter has thoughts worthy of a read on Joe Biden and Amy Klobuchar's performances in the New Hampshire primary:

[12 February 2020 04:36 · Chris Riotta]

Here's my final piece on Bernie Sanders winning the New Hampshire primary:

[12 February 2020 04:40 · Chris Riotta]

This concludes tonight's live coverage on New Hampshire's first-in-the-nation primary. Check back in tomorrow as The Independent continues to bring you live coverage and analysis on the 2020 campaign trail.