Joe Biden appeared to be surging ahead in the heated Democratic Party's presidential race with the ex-US vice president picking up three key endorsements from former rivals on the eve of the "Super Tuesday" primaries, the most important day in the race for the White House.
Senator Amy Klobuchar and former mayor from Indiana Pete Buttigieg not only announced that they were dropping out of the race but also endorsed 77-year-old Biden's bid to challenge President Donald Trump, a Republican, in the November 3 election.
Former US congressman Beto O'Rourke, who dropped out of the race last November, also backed Biden.
Democratic moderates have been urging party leaders to urgently unite to stop Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders, a self-described democratic socialist, from becoming the party's nominee to take on President Trump.
Responding to the barrage of endorsements, Biden said, 'Pete and Amy and Beto backed our campaign now we need you. This is our moment to come together as a party to beat Donald Trump. If you're with us, chip in today to keep our momentum going."
A candidate should have 1,991 delegates to win the party's nomination