Call it a comeback.

Not even a week ago, political pundits and fellow Democrats were writing former Vice President Joe Biden's campaign obituary.

But a sweeping victory in South Carolina and at least eight of 14 Super Tuesday states have propelled him to the lead delegate count.

"This campaign is taking off," Biden said from Los Angeles in his victory speech.

The former veep had a momentum shift after a personal moment during a CNN town hall last week in Charleston, South Carolina, while talking to a pastor whose wife was one of nine black people killed by a white supremacist at a church in 2015. Rev. Anthony Thompson asked Biden how his faith would inform his decisions as president.

Biden, with tears in his eyes, connected with the reverend by speaking from the heart on the loss of his first wife and infant daughter, who died in a 1972 car crash, and his son, Beau, dying of brain cancer in 2015.

"I've only been able to deal with it by realizing they're part of my being. My son Beau was my soul," Biden said.

He candidly spoke about his last days with his son, who he said urged him to stay engaged in public service.

In a moment that has gone viral, Biden said he wakes up every day and "I ask myself, I hope he's proud of me today."

Within minutes, the pundits who had previously written him off were praising his empathy and ability to connect with voters.

Following that moment, Biden got a key endorsement from Rep. Jim Clyburn, the highest-ranking African American in Congress, that the former vice president said helped him net a huge victory in South Carolina. Biden won 48 percent of the vote and 39 delegates after a rough start in Iowa, New Hampshire and Nevada.

In his victory speech in South Carolina, Biden looked nearly two months ahead and said he would win Pennsylvania.

More:2020 Election Guide

Pa. carries 186 delegates

Biden, who grew up in Scranton and served neighboring Delaware in the U.S. Senate, has been dubbed "Pennsylvania's third senator" because he was well known and well liked in the Keystone State.

There are seven primary dates before Pennsylvania's on April 28, but this state carries one of the biggest prizes: 186 delegates.

As of Wednesday morning, Sens. Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren were still in the race.

Billionaire Michael Bloomberg ended his campaign Wednesday morning after spending about $500 million on an ad blitz and winning just 5 delegates on Super Tuesday. Bloomberg endorsed Biden.

Votes are still being counted in Texas and California, but so far Biden has 453 delegates and Sanders has 382, according to the Associated Press.

The Pennsylvania primary is now relevant in what is shaping up to be a two-man race for the Democratic nomination. Biden has been leading in Pennsylvania polls and collecting endorsements from top state Democrats.

In the coming days and weeks, expect to see more campaign stops across Pennsylvania because Super Tuesday results ensured this race is just getting started.

Our other election coverage

These stories take a deeper look at Super Tuesday, Biden's electability in Pennsylvania and why Pennsylvania matters in the 2020 election.

We have live results from Super Tuesday.

Joe Biden says he can win over working-class voters in Pa. Here's what the voters say.

Has the Pennsylvania primary suddenly become a deal-maker for the Dems?

New Pa. poll shows changes for Biden and Trump

2020 election: Why Pennsylvania is vital

'Can't take any of them for granted': Meet the voters who could decide Pa.

What others are saying about Pennsylvania

Lt. Gov. John Fetterman talked to CNN about how fracking became a key issue in 2020.

New York Mayor Bill de Blasio told NPR that Sanders has a better chance to defeat President Donald Trump in a general election because the Vermont senator can win back voters in battleground states the president carried in 2016, including Pennsylvania, Michigan and Wisconsin.

Nate Silver's FiveThirtyEight site forecasts Biden to win 44 percent of the vote in Pennsylvania and 93 of the state's 186 delegates.

The New York Times takes a look at Trump country in southwestern Pa.

The Boston Globe visits Erie for a Pennsylvania analysis.

Campaign stops this week in Pa.

Thursday, March 5: President Trump will have a town hall in Scranton.

Are you ready for the April 28 primary?

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Candy Woodall is a reporter for the USA Today Network. She can be reached at 717-480-1783 or on Twitter at @candynotcandace.

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