Joe Biden has called for unity after what may be a decisive victory over Bernie Sanders, vowing that together the Democratic Party can beat Donald Trump in November

On a day that was billed as “Big Tuesday” and which took place seven days after the former vice president’s blockbuster night on “Super Tuesday”, Mr Biden looked set to win at least four of six states that cast ballots to select a presidential nominee. Of these, the most important in terms of delegates, electoral college votes and its role in the general election was Michigan.

Four years after Mr Sanders defeated Hillary Clinton in this upper midwest state in a victory that helped deliver enough momentum to his campaign to carry him all the way into the summer, the Vermont senator came up short in a place he knew he had to once again shine.

Having been thrust into frontrunner status after wins in Iowa, New Hampshire and Nevada, he saw it seized back by the former vice president, who had begun his comeback with by winning South Carolina in a landslide.

Mr Biden then cemented that status with a flurry of wins seven days ago on on Super Tuesday, helped by the endorsement of number of former rivals, induing Pete Buttigieg, Amy Klobuchar and Beto O’Rourke.

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On Tuesday, Mr Biden bagged Michigan, Missouri and Mississippi and was leading in Idaho, added to his delegate count and with big wins across multiple demographic groups, further bolstered his claim to be best placed to defeat Mr Trump. Mr Sanders was still challenging for Washington state and North Dakota, but either way it was another disappointing night for his campaign.

“This was his path. Tonight was his path,” one top adviser told CNN. “It didn’t happen.”

Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, one of the Vermont senator’s most high-profile supporters, said on social media: “There’s no sugar-coating it – tonight’s a tough night. Tonight’s a tough night for the movement overall.”

Ahead of Tuesday’s contests Mr Biden secured more endorsements, including those of Kamala Harris and Cory Booker, as the Democratic establishment appeared to unite behind him as the candidate best equipped to take on Mr Trump.

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For his part, Mr Biden sought to put his focus on bringing together the Democratic Party amid a primary season that rarely fails to spill blood. While he and the democratic socialist occupy different ideological traditions – some would so markedly so – Mr Biden said it was essential people worked hand in hand to oust the president, about whom he has often been scathing.

“I want to thank Bernie Sanders and his supporters for their tireless energy and their passion. We share a common goal, and together we’ll defeat Donald Trump. We’ll defeat him together,” Mr Biden said in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, another battleground state.

He added: “We’re going to bring this nation together We’re regenerating a Democratic base, the Democratic Party. The African American community. High school educated folks, labour, suburban women, veterans, firefighters, union members and so many more. People of every economic station.”

While some ballots were still being counted in the western states, polls suggested Mr Biden had won Michigan 53-38, Mississippi 81-15, Missouri 60-35 and Idaho by as much as 46 to 38. Mr Sanders was leading in North Dakota by around 15 points, Washington state appeared to be too close to call.

There was no immediate word from the Sanders campaign on his plans. He is due to debate Mr Biden next Sunday, ahead of four more important primaries next Tuesday in Ohio, Florida, Arizona and Illinois.

There will likely be intense pressure on him from other Democrats to drop out and throw his backing – and that of his supporters – behind Mr Biden.

Even as the contours of the race came into sharper focus, new uncertainty was sparked by fears of the spreading coronavirus. Both candidates abruptly cancelled rallies in Ohio that were scheduled for Tuesday night. That set the stage for Mr Biden’s remarks in Philadelphia, while Mr Sanders flew home to Vermont and did not address the public.

Mr Sanders’ campaign has said all future events would be decided on a case-by-case basis given public health concerns, while Mr Biden called off a scheduled upcoming Florida stop.

The Democratic National Committee also said that Sunday’s debate between the two men would be conducted without an audience.