BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — Hillary Clinton handily defeated Bernie Sanders on Tuesday in Alabama’s Democratic Presidential Primary, garnering just shy of 80% of the vote.
The Clinton family’s decades-old ties to leaders in the state’s African-American community proved valuable as the former Secretary of State received the backing of Alabama’s Black Legislative Caucus.
“Hillary Clinton is the only candidate in this election who truly understands the struggles African-American families face every day in Alabama, and the only candidate that has put forth a realistic plan to improve the quality of life for all Alabamians regardless of the color of their skin,” said Senator Roger Smitherman (D-Birmingham), Chairman of the Alabama Black Legislative Caucus. “This election is historic. Not because of who is running, but because of what the next president will be asked to do. The only way for our country to continue moving forward is to elect Hillary Clinton.”
Secretary Clinton and Former President Bill Clinton both visited the Yellowhammer State the week before election day.
During a speech at Miles College in Birmingham, Secretary Clinton touted her foreign policy credentials and criticized Donald Trump, who won Alabama’s Republican presidential primary Tuesday night.
While advocating for the United States to build coalitions with Muslim leaders in the Middle East, Clinton said, “It does not help us to form a coalition with them when a leading candidate for president spends half his time insulting them.
“When you run for president it’s not just Americans who pay attention,” she continued. “The entire world listens to every word you say. Markets rise and fall, conflicts go forward or retreat.”
Former President Clinton made a stop at Alabama State University and praised his wife’s ability to bring change.
“Everything she’s ever done, she made better,” he said. “You ought to support her because the president’s job requires someone who gets up every day, on the great days and bad days and all days in between, and mobilizes us so we can all make something good happen.”
Clinton leaves Super Tuesday with a commanding lead in the Democratic primary and appears well on her way to securing the nomination.
