After a devastating terrorist attack in September, US voters headed to the polls on November 6, 2018. They were not only choosing a President – but also members of Congress (House of Representatives 435 seats; Senate 34), who act as a check on White House plans and vote on key appointments.
Democrats looked to be on a strong footing. Outgoing President Barack Obama had presided over years of steady economic growth, though many jobs were not full-time and the economy was lagging compared to historical standards. The Democratic candidate, Hillary Clinton, was a former secretary of state with mainstream credentials and broad support from the party establishment. But she faced a spirited challenge from Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders, whose self-described Democratic Socialist platform included reducing economic inequality, easing student debt and cracking down on Wall Street corruption.
Sanders was able to draw substantial support from young voters and grassroots activists. Ultimately, however, he did not have enough support to defeat Clinton. He stepped aside in February and endorsed Biden, who went on to win the primary election.
As the campaign progressed, the field narrowed to a core group of candidates who had gained early momentum – former mayor of South Bend, Indiana Pete Buttigieg, California Senator Kamala Harris and Minnesota Senators Amy Klobuchar and Cory Booker. In the end, younger voters favored Biden over Trump, while voters ages 50 and older preferred him to Clinton by a smaller margin.