Biden surges nationwide on Super Tuesday

Joe Biden is sweeping to victory across the country on Super Tuesday, mounting a dramatic offensive against progressive rival Bernie Sanders.

But the Vermont senator is still hoping to tap into delegate-rich Western states to maintain his lead in the Democratic presidential contest.

The two Democrats were battling for delegates as 14 states and one U.S. territory held a series of high-stakes elections.

California is the crown jewel of Super Tuesday and was not expected to report final results until early Wednesday, though Sanders appeared to have an advantage there.

Biden took Arkansas, Alabama, Minnesota, North Carolina, Massachusetts, Oklahoma, Tennessee and Virginia, while Sanders won Colorado, Utah and Vermont.