As Bernie Sanders Wins California, Sacramento Supporters Celebrate But Eye Biden National Surge

By Nicole Nixon

Bernie Sanders won California’s presidential primary Tuesday, but at a Sacramento party for Sanders you might not have known that judging by some of the faces, like Lindsay Parkinson’s.

"I’ve been anxious for like – since 2016, so I don’t know, I’m used to it," Parkinson said. "But I’m hopeful that by the end of tonight we’ll have a lot more answers with all of the votes coming in, so I’m hopeful."

As of Wednesday morning, Sanders leads with 33% of the vote, with 79% precincts reporting, but it could be days or weeks until results  — and delegate counts — are solidified.

Health care is a key issue for Parkinson, who is a supporter of Sanders' Medicare For All plan.

"I work in health care, mental health care in particular, and I’ve seen the system broken for the entire time I’ve worked in it and I want it to actually be a safety net for people,” she said.

Talha Javed, 23 of Elk Grove, was also at the party. He was disappointed to see Sanders lose other Super Tuesday states like Virginia and Massachusetts to former Vice President Joe Biden. 

“It is a concern to see Biden surge at the last minute, but I feel like Bernie’s been canvassing well across the country,” Javed said.

A few blocks away, Sacramento Mayor and Biden supporter Darrell Steinberg was celebrating a landslide victory in his own primary. He was also happy to see the Joe-mentum growing.

Democrats around the country are debating which candidate has the best chance of beating President Donald Trump in November. For Steinberg, it’s Biden.

"I think the Vice President is best positioned to heal the great wounds that exist – that pre-existed Trump – but have gotten a lot worse over the last three years."  

Even though Steinberg and Parkinson disagree on which candidate should take on Trump in November, they do agree on one thing: supporting the Democratic nominee – whoever it is – in order to take back the White House.  

"It is important that we as Democrats, even if we believe, like I do, that Joe Biden is the absolute best candidate, that we listen to what Sen. Sanders has to say," Steinberg said. "And that message that there’s a lot about the country that is good and great, and there’s a lot that’s broken that needs to be fixed."