Bernie Sanders has won the Democratic primary in Vermont, the northeastern state where he spent most of his iconic political career.

In a move that was widely expected but will nevertheless be welcomed by the senator and supporters, the 78-year-old was declared the winner within moments of polls closing at 7pm local time.

The state of Vermont, where the the democratic socialist began his career in electoral politics after he became the mayor of Burlington in 1981, has just three electoral college votes and 16 delegates

However, it was a satisfying way for the senator to start Super Tuesday’s anxious game of watch and wait, as he and his campaign got ready to see how far his momentum – helped by wins in Iowa, New Hampshire and Nevada – can carry him across the country.

That momentum was interrupted by the performance of Joe Biden, who won a landslide in South Carolina over the weekend, a victory that kicked new life into his campaign.

It also saw the likes of Pete Buttigieg and Amy Klobuchar end their campaigns, and endorse that of the former vice president.

In his first projected victory of the night, US media predicted the 77-year-old Mr Biden was going to win Virginia, which has 99 delegates and 13 electoral college votes in the general election.

Loading....

Television cameras showed Mr Sanders’s supporters in Vermont, cheering as the projection hit the TV screens.