The Democrats are a party deeply divided. In a contest where most Democratic voters said they're looking for someone who can beat Donald Trump, Sanders narrowly took the top slot. "This victory here is the beginning of the end for Donald Trump," Sanders told his supporters.

But Buttigieg's strong second-place showing makes him a popular alternative for voters who see Sanders' socialist policies as too extreme. "A campaign that some said shouldn't be here at all has shown that we are here to stay," Buttigieg said.

Buttigieg and Sanders split the New Hampshire delegates, giving Buttigieg a slight delegate lead after his Iowa victory.

Sen. Amy Klobuchar—who is also seen as a moderate—took a surprisingly strong third-place finish, getting a big boost from her debate performance last week.

Former Vice President Joe Biden and Sen. Elizabeth Warren, once frontrunners, both finished with single-digit support.

With 87% of precincts reporting, here were the results:

Bernie Sanders, 71,759 - 26 percent

Pete Buttigieg, 68,141 - 24 percent

Amy Klobuchar, 55,164 - 20 percent

Elizabeth Warren, 25,899 - 9 percent

Joe Biden, 23,475 - 8 percent

Biden left the state early to get to South Carolina where he hopes for a big win among black voters to keep him in the race. "Now where I come from, that's the opening bell, not the closing bell," he said.

Meanwhile, candidates Andrew Yang and Sen. Michael Bennett dropped out of the race Tuesday night after earning very little support.

After spending $200 million on TV ads, Michael Bloomberg is gaining ground in national polls, but he's not on the ballot until Super Tuesday.

Bloomberg is facing new criticism after a recording from 2015 surfaced in which he defends his controversial "stop and frisk" policy in minority communities when he was New York mayor. Bloomberg apologized for the policy months ago, just days before launching his presidential campaign.

The political spotlight quickly shifts to Nevada, where Democrats will hold caucuses on Feb. 22. But the candidates will be barnstorming several states in the days leading up to Super Tuesday on March 3. Subscribe for free to Breaking Christian News here

To receive daily emails from Breaking Christian News to your inbox CLICK HERE

Countdown for Historic Space Mission Artemis II Begins

Federal Judge Orders Trump Administration to Halt Construction on Privately Funded White House Ballroom; Trump Responds

Trump Rolls Out a Plan to Back Farmers amid Rising Costs, Pledging 'Golden Age'

Trump's Election Executive Order is Causing a Meltdown among Liberals

Another Illegal Alien Charged With Murder in Democrat Run Fairfax County, Virginia

US Forces Reach 12,000 Combat Flights, Debunk Fake News About Iran Operation

President Trump Addresses Nation Tonight, Signals End in Sight for Iran Conflict

Supreme Court Hears Arguments on Birthright Citizenship, as the CCP Exploits It to Sway US Elections

ICYMI: Iranian People March in DC in Support of Op Epic Fury and Trump; 'We Will Reclaim Our Country'

Trump's FDA Indicates Move Away from Testing on Dogs, Bunnies, Chimpanzees

Chicago Bulls Dump Player after His Criticism of Pride Month

Finally Confirmed: Michigan Synagogue Car Ramming Was 'Hezbollah-Inspired' Terror Attack

SURPRISE! Zohran Mamdani's New 'Free' Childcare Program is Going to Cost $60,000 Per Child

Courtroom Bombshell: ATF Can't Link Bullet That Killed Charlie Kirk to Suspect's Rifle

FBI: Over 6,200 Missing Children Located, More Than 300 Human Traffickers and 1,700 Child Predators Arrested over Past Year

SCOTUS Rules on Colorado's Ban on 'Conversion Therapy' to Help Gender Dysphoric Individuals

President Trump Shares Letter on Palm Sunday, from Franklin Graham Discussing Salvation

HSLDA Lawyer Warns This Bill Would Create a 'Surveillance State' for Homeschooling Families

Major Airports Return to Normal as TSA Workers Get Paid

GROTESQUE: Barack Obama's Orwellian Push for Virginia Redistricting Is Something to Behold