Biden, Sanders to debate against backdrop of global pandemic

WASHINGTON (AP) — Sunday’s Democratic presidential debate is likely to be dominated by the mounting coronavirus crisis.

Just two candidates are left in the Democratic race: former Vice President Joe Biden and Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders.

They’ll debate in a television studio in Washington without an in-person audience.

The debate was moved from Arizona because of concerns about cross-country travel.

It’s the first Democratic debate in two-and-a-half weeks and the first since Biden took command of the primary race.

Five other candidates who joined them on stage in the Feb. 25 debate in South Carolina have dropped out, with many rallying behind Biden’s surging candidacy.

ap