Biden, Trump win party nominations, setting stage for election rematch

US President Joe Biden and his predecessor Donald Trump on Tuesday secured enough delegates to become presidential nominees for the Democratic and Republican parties, respectively, kicking off an election rematch after over 70 years.

Trump needed to secure 1,215 delegates to clinch the nomination, with the Associated Press showing that the former US president has secured the backing of 1,228 delegates following the latest round of voting on Tuesday.

Biden, who did not face any significant challengers for his nomination, on Tuesday romped home with the 1,968 delegates required to clinch the nomination.

Both the president and the former president captured nearly all the votes in Georgia, Mississippi, Washington and Hawaii–the states that went to poll on Super Tuesday.

“Four years ago, I ran for president because I believed we were in a battle for the soul of this nation. Because of the American people, we won that battle, and now I am honored that the broad coalition of voters representing the rich diversity of the Democratic party across the country have put their faith in me once again to lead our party – and our country – in a moment when the threat Trump poses is greater than ever,” Biden said in a statement.

To be sure, Biden’s nomination will be made official at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago in August.

If elected, Trump, has vowed to push for protectionist trade policies, withdraw US military presence around the world and curtail illegal immigration.

Trump faced a galaxy of challengers on his way to becoming the party’s nominee, including US’s former UN ambassador Nikki Haley, Florida governor Ron DeSantis and former vice-president Mike Pence.

Bloomberg reported that this year’s election will be one of the most expensive ones on record, with both candidates having low approval ratings.