Washington (dpa) - In the race for the presidential candidacy of the US Democrats, former Vice President Joe Biden has declared himself the winner of the important area code in the state of South Carolina and thanked the voters.

"We just won, and we won a lot because of you," Biden said Saturday night (local time) to fans in South Carolina's capital, Columbia. "A few days ago, the press and experts declared this candidacy dead," added the ex-vice president. "We are very lively."

The leader of the Democratic primary, Senator Bernie Sanders, had previously congratulated his competitor Biden on his victory. "We didn't win in South Carolina tonight," said Sanders at a campaign event in Virginia Beach, Virginia on Saturday night (local time). "I want to congratulate Joe Biden on his victory tonight." Previously, US broadcasters had cited forecasts, Biden had won the important area code in South Carolina by far.

Biden (77) saw forecasts from TV stations on Saturday evening with an unbeatable lead over Sanders. It would be Biden's first victory, which had not been able to prevail in the three previous Democratic primary. Sanders (78) continues to lead the field of applicants for the Democratic candidacy in nationwide surveys. Sanders has won two primaries so far. South Carolina was the fourth.

The area code in South Carolina was also the last one before "Super Tuesday" next Tuesday. Then is elected in more than a dozen states. More than a third of all delegates will be assigned to determine the Democratic candidate in the summer. This candidate will vote against Republican incumbent Donald Trump on November 3 . Trump himself has no serious internal party competition. The Republicans have therefore canceled their area codes in South Carolina and several other states.