After four long days of waiting, Joe Biden has been called the projected winner of the 2020 presidential election by numerous media outlets. With a win in Pennsylvania, former Vice President Biden has secured the necessary 270 electoral votes to become the 46th president of the United States. Shortly after the race was called, the state of Nevada was also called for Biden, lifting his electoral vote count to 279.
“America, I’m honored that you have chosen me to lead our great country,” said the president-elect on Twitter. “The work ahead of us will be hard, but I promise you this: I will be a President for all Americans—whether you voted for me or not. I will keep the faith that you have placed in me.”
With his win, history will be made. Biden has shattered Barack Obama’s record for the most votes cast for a presidential candidate with over 75 million votes and counting. In 2008, Obama set a record with 69 million. Biden is the first challenger to defeat an incumbent president in nearly three decades.
Biden’s running mate Kamala Harris will become the first woman, first Black, and first Indian American to serve as the U.S. vice president. At 77, and turning 78 on Nov. 20, Biden would become the oldest president in U.S. history surpassing Ronald Reagan.
Biden’s electoral advantage was powered by Black and Latinx voters—especially in Nevada and Arizona. Black voters overwhelmingly supported Biden by a margin of 87% to Trump’s 12%, according to exit poll data from the Washington Post.
Biden made a strong showing in the Midwest. He won Minnesota by seven points, outperforming Hillary Clinton who won the state by just 1.5 points in 2016. He also flipped both Wisconsin and Michigan, two states Clinton lost.
“Democracy is sometimes messy,” said Biden on Thursday as the presidential race remained in limbo. Part of the messiness is due, in part, to the Republican legislature in Pennsylvania that refused pleas from Democratic leadership to allow mail-in ballots to be counted as they arrived, as in Florida where the race was called early on Tuesday night.
A record number of Americans—over 100 million—voted early this election this year.
Although the race has been called, votes continue to be tallied in a handful of other states, with Biden leading in Arizona and Georgia. President Trump is ahead in North Carolina and Alaska. Experts predict that with all the votes tallied, Biden could secure 306 electoral votes.
The president has contested the election results, lashing out on Twitter and in the media about “fraud” and “corruption” in states where he is behind or lost. His legal team has filed numerous lawsuits in various states, many of which have been dismissed in the courts.
Look for more election stories to follow on the MSR.
Support Black local news
Help amplify Black voices by donating to the MSR. Your contribution enables critical coverage of issues affecting the community and empowers authentic storytelling.