Sanders celebrates Biden-Harris victory: ‘Thank God democracy won out’

Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) congratulated President-elect Joe Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris on their election victory Saturday saying, “Thank God democracy won out.”

Biden was projected to win the presidency Saturday following news that he had won his home state of Pennsylvania, a victory that lead him to 270 Electoral College votes. 

Multiple news outlets, including CNN, ABC and the Associated Press called the race just before 11:30 a.m., while Fox News followed suit shortly after. 

In an interview with CNN anchor Anderson Cooper on Saturday, the Vermont progressive characterized the election as a defining moment for the nation. 

“It was about whether or not we remain a country that believes in the Constitution, believes in the rule of law and believes in democracy. And thank God, democracy won out. I just wish Joe and Kamala the very best in leading our country,” Sanders said.

Bernie Sanders on Trump’s defeat: “It was about whether or not we remain a country that believes in the Constitution, believes in the rule of law and believes in democracy. And thank God, democracy won out. I just wish Joe and Kamala the very best in leading our country.” pic.twitter.com/mEFw1Yjg5w

— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) November 7, 2020

Sanders was Biden’s final opponent during the Democratic primary earlier this year, outlasting the over 20 other candidates who joined the fight for the 2020 presidential nomination.

Biden and Sanders often butt heads on policy issues such as healthcare, but Sanders said he would support the former vice president after he dropped out of the race in April.

Other former 2020 Democratic nominees congratulated Biden and Harris on Twitter Saturday, including Sen. Cory Booker (N.J.), Sen. Elizabeth Warren (Mass.), and Sen. Amy Klobuchar (Minn.).

“Americans made their voices heard in historic numbers. They chose love over hate, hope over fear, unity over division. We struggled and sacrificed for this moment. Now we celebrate our next President @JoeBiden and Vice President @KamalaHarris,” Booker wrote on social media after news outlets called the victory for Biden.

Americans made their voices heard in historic numbers.

They chose love over hate, hope over fear, unity over division.

We struggled and sacrificed for this moment.

Now we celebrate our next President @JoeBiden and Vice President @KamalaHarris.

Let’s get to work.

— Cory Booker (@CoryBooker) November 7, 2020

Klobuchar celebrated the ability to now refer to Biden and Harris as “presidents-elect.” 

We can now say President-Elect @JoeBiden and Vice President-Elect @KamalaHarris! The American people have spoken.

It is time to unite this country and get to work!

— Amy Klobuchar (@amyklobuchar) November 7, 2020

Other former 2020 Democratic candidates shared their praise for Biden’s win over Trump, such as former South Bend, Ind.,  Mayor Pete Buttigieg and Former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg.

Today we have heard from an American majority ready for change, eager for something so much better than what we’ve been living with these last four years.

— Pete Buttigieg (@PeteButtigieg) November 7, 2020

The ballots have been counted and the American people have elected a leader in @joebiden who ran promising to bring our country back together. He and @kamalaharris will have my full support as they work to do that. pic.twitter.com/rxs6UID8yM

— Mike Bloomberg (@MikeBloomberg) November 7, 2020