Bernie Sanders' commanding Nevada caucus victory has made him a top target for his Democratic rivals amid worries he could cost the party if he wins the presidential nomination.
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The win solidified Sanders' front-runner status as the race turned to Saturday's presidential primary in South Carolina.
The Vermont senator was trounced in the state by more than 40 percentage points in 2016, but he is hoping that his success in diverse Nevada will prove to black voters in South Carolina that his campaign has broad appeal.
Meanwhile, former Vice President Joe Biden, has been confirmed as the second-place getter in Nevada, and is looking to South Carolina for a commanding victory that can keep his candidacy alive through Super Tuesday.
The March 3 contests will unfold in 14 states and award one-third of the delegates needed for the Democratic nomination.
With time running short, moderate Democrats are increasingly nervous that Sanders' call for a political "revolution" would drive voters away from the party, in the matchup against President Donald Trump.
The House majority whip and top-ranking black Democrat Jim Clyburn, from South Carolina is expected to endorse Biden this week.
The congressman had earlier pointed to the impact a Sanders nomination would have on districts Democrats flipped to take control of the House in 2018.
"In those districts, it's going to be tough to hold on to these jobs if you have to make the case for accepting a self-proclaimed democratic socialist," he said.
Sanders' campaign argued he will bring in new and infrequent voters - largely progressives, young people and voters of colour - who have been alienated from the process and seek a drastic overhaul of Washington, not merely trying to oust Trump.
He dominated his Democratic rivals in Nevada, pulling far ahead of Biden, the runner-up, and Pete Buttigieg, the former mayor of South Bend, Indiana, who came in third. Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren landed in fourth, while Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar and California billionaire Tom Steyer were in a close race for fifth as the Nevada Democratic Party continued to tabulate results.
Sanders' new status was clear as his rivals sharpened their focus on him.
On Sunday, Buttigieg ripped Sanders' for his massive and often combative online following, saying the nominee's job is to "mobilise not polarise the American majority."
Australian Associated Press