Bernie Sanders Has the Potential to Win Massachusetts [OPINION]

The collapse of Sen. Elizabeth Warren's campaign and the strength of Sen. Bernie Sanders makes Massachusetts an interesting primary for Democrats.

In 2016, the proud socialist senator from Vermont joined the Democratic Party presidential primaries in opposition to Hillary Clinton. Bernie and his team built an incredible fundraising machine based on small-dollar donors and a legion of passionate supporters.

The impact of the Bernie Sanders for President campaign was felt in Massachusetts and it shocked the traditional Democratic Party powerbrokers. Massachusetts was suddenly in play and it took an Election Day visit by former President Bill Clinton to Boston, Taunton, and New Bedford to drag the Clinton campaign over the finish line and into a narrow victory.

So what will the Massachusetts voters who supported the socialist challenger four years ago do this coming March? With a multiple candidate race, Bernie can afford some defections and still win the popular vote in Massachusetts. A win or a close second behind Sen. Warren will further destroy the Warren campaign and open up opportunities for the left to consolidate fully behind Sanders in future state primaries.

Here are some of the local 2016 results for Bernie:

Fairhaven: 54.5 percent

Freetown: 53.8 percent

Westport: 52 percent

Dartmouth: 48.3 percent

Taunton: 47.9 percent

Acushnet: 47.8 percent

New Bedford: 44 percent

Fall River: 40.5 percent

Rochester: 59.6 percent

Lakeville: 57.2 percent

Mattapoisett: 52.5 percent

Wareham: 51.1 percent

Marion: 48.6 percent

If Bernie's previous supporters all stay with him, he will win "big league" in Massachusetts this March. Even if he faces some defections he has the potential to win the Bay State. The only danger Sanders faces in Massachusetts is if his voters reject him four years after they almost helped him defeat Hillary Clinton.

Chris McCarthy is the host of The Chris McCarthy Show on 1420 WBSM New Bedford. He can be heard weekdays from 10 a.m. to noon. Contact him at chris.mccarthy@townsquaremedia.com and follow him on Twitter @Chris_topher_Mc. The opinions expressed in this commentary are solely those of the author.