Bernie Sanders Won Worcester. Here's Where His Support Came From

WORCESTER, MA — After losing Worcester to Hillary Clinton in 2016, Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders came back in 2020 to win the city in the Super Tuesday Democratic primary. Sanders earned about 35 percent of the vote overall to former Vice President Joe Biden's 32 percent.

Although Sanders lost the entire state to Biden, his campaign was focused on Worcester this year. The campaign held a "Berniepalooza" festival all weekend that included local musicians and artists, along with appearances by actor Susan Sarandon and "Bob's Burgers" star (and Worcester native) H. Jon Benjamin.

Sanders defeated Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren in every ward in Worcester, but he lost to Biden in several parts of the city. Sanders' support was concentrated in the downtown core and surrounding neighborhoods — and in areas near the city's major colleges, especially Clark and Holy Cross.

A total of 28.5 percent of registered voters turned out in Worcester on Super Tuesday. That includes about 62 percent of registered Democrats, or about 25,500 voters. That's up from the 24,349 Democrats who turned out in 2016.

Here's a look at where Sanders won and lost across the city on Super Tuesday, according to unofficial election results released by the Worcester City Clerk:

Ward 1

The northwest corner of the city from I-190 to Indian Lake and south to Highland Street.

Joe Biden carried this ward handily with 46 percent of the vote. Sanders came in a distant second with about 30 percent. Sanders did well in this ward in 2016, winning three of five precincts against Clinton. This year, Biden carried every precinct, including Precinct 3, where Assumption College is located. Warren beat Sanders in Precinct 4 here 295 votes to 277.

Ward 2

The northeast corner of Worcester from Route 12 south through Burncoat and down to I-290.

Biden beat Sanders here 43 to 39 percent. Warren came in a distant third at 17 percent. Sanders did pick up Precinct 5, which runs from Lincoln Street along the Shrewsbury line up to Century Drive.

Ward 3

Runs from Dodge Park along I-290 to Highland Street and Worcester Polytechnic Institute.

Sanders beat Biden 47 to 34 percent, with Warren down at 19 percent. Sanders won every precinct here in 2016 against Clinton. Wards 2 and 3 belong to District 2 Councilor Candy Mero-Carlson, who endorsed Warren ahead of the primary. Warren came in third in every precinct in both wards.

Ward 4

Spans Lake Quinsigamond west to City Hall and between Belmont and Hamilton streets on the north and south.

An even bigger win for Sanders: 46 to 32 percent against Biden. Sanders lost this ward to Clinton in 2016, winning only one precinct that year.

Ward 5

Runs from Hamilton Street to Grafton along the lake and as far west as Route 122A.

Biden beat Sanders here 43 to 39 percent, with Warren getting about 18 percent. Sanders did manage to win Precinct 1, which includes a portion of the neighborhood surrounding Mulcahey Field.

Ward 6

Includes Union Hill and Vernon Hill, plus Holy Cross and all the neighborhoods south to Route 20.

Sanders won here with just under 50 percent of the vote. It's possible Holy Cross students helped; but Precinct 4, where the college is located, had relatively low turnout — Sanders got 82 votes, Biden 61 and Warren 30.

Ward 7

Runs from Hope Cemetery along the Leicester line to the airport, also includes the Beaver Brook area.

Barely a Sanders win, beating Biden 41.5 to 41 percent. Clinton won this ward in 2016, taking three of the five precincts. Biden took Precincts 3 and 1 this year, roughly the area from Goddard Memorial Drive east to the Coe Reservoir and into Beaver Brook.

Ward 8

Includes an area from Clark University northeast to Cromtpon Park.

Sanders really ran up the vote here with 59 percent to Biden's 25 percent. The precinct vote totals around Clark University tell the story:

• 8-2 Sanders 110, Biden 44
• 8-3 (includes the campus) Sanders 167, Biden 32
• 8-4 Sanders 145, Biden 59

District 4 Councilor Sarai Rivera endorsed Warren ahead of the primary, and her district includes Wards 8 and 10.

Ward 9

Includes Worcester State University and the area along the Paxton and Holden borders.

Biden won this ward 39 percent to Sanders' 36 percent, with Warren at 25 percent. Sanders did carry two precincts, including Precinct 3, where Worcester State University is located. Sanders carried Ward 9 in 2016.

Ward 10

Encompasses the west side of downtown south to Main South; it also includes Becker College.

This was Sanders' second-biggest win by share of votes. He earned about 54 percent, while Biden and Warren were down at 23.3 and 22.3 percent, respectively. Clinton won this ward in 2016.

Here's Worcester's ward map for reference: