MIAMI – The Democratic presidential candidates are scheduled to debate for the eighth time Wednesday night in Miami, after splitting primaries in Michigan and Mississippi on Tuesday.
While Sen. Bernie Sanders surprised former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton in Michigan, her victory was a lopsided one in Mississippi and helped put her more than half-way to winning the delegates she needs to secure the nomination.
Local 10 News reporter Andrew Perez spoke to Sanders at his rally Tuesday night at the James L. Knight Center, where he was welcomed with plenty of applause by a relatively young crowd.
He spoke about expanding healthcare and one of his biggest campaign platforms: making public colleges and universities free.
He said he'll be pushing forward with his progressive agenda and thinks he's got a good shot at winning the presidential race.
"I just want to take this opportunity to thank the people of Michigan, who kind of repudiated the polls that had us 20-25 points down a few days ago (and) who repudiated the pundits who said Sanders was not going anywhere," Sanders said.
Meanwhile, Clinton was in Ohio Tuesday night -- a state that will be having its primary at the same time as Florida.
The last time Sanders and Clinton faced off there was some tension, but she said what they disagree on is nothing compared to the Republicans.
"We have our differences, which you can see when we debate, but I'll tell you what, those differences pale in comparison to what's happening on the Republican side," Clinton said. "Every time you think it can't get any uglier, they find a way."
On the Republican side, Sen. Ted Cruz took Idaho, but Donald Trump had the strongest showing, winning in Michigan, Mississippi and Hawaii after spending a day campaigning in Jupiter.
Wednesday’s Democratic debate will be held at Miami-Dade College's Kendall Campus. The Republican presidential hopefuls will square off Thursday at the University of Miami.