Buttigieg holds slim lead over Sanders in Iowa

Feb. 5 (UPI) -- Pete Buttigieg held onto the slightest of leads over fellow presidential contender Bernie Sanders Wednesday night with only a few precincts left uncounted in the Iowa Democratic primary.

With 97 percent of precincts reporting -- up from the 62 percent released Tuesday -- the former South Bend, Ind., mayor had 550 state delegate equivalents, or 26.2 percent, to Vermont Sen. Sanders' 546, or 26.1 percent.

The field was largely unchanged with the release of the new numbers, with Sen. Elizabeth Warren receiving 18.2, former Vice President Joe Biden receiving 15.8 percent and Sen. Amy Klobuchar receiving 12.2 percent. Andrew Yang has 1 percent and Tom Steyer has 0.3 percent.

Former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg, Rep. Tulsi Gabbard, Sen. Michael Bennet and former Mass. Gov. Deval Patrick weren't on the Iowa ballot.

Results from Iowa have been delayed for nearly two days after the state's Democratic Party had difficulties using a new app designed to report delegates Monday night. The candidates have since moved on to campaigning in New Hampshire, which is scheduled to hold the first-in-the-nation primary Tuesday.

Democrats campaign in Iowa ahead of caucus

2020 Democratic presidential candidates, from left to right, Tom Steyer, Sen. Elizabeth Warren, former Vice President Joe Biden, Sen. Bernie Sanders, former Mayor Pete Buttigieg and Sen. Amy Klobuchar gather onstage for a debate in Des Moines, Iowa, on January 14. Photo by Mike Theiler/UPI | License Photo

Sen. Michael Bennet makes remarks at the Brown & Black Presidential Forum in Des Moines on January 20. He did not qualify for the January debate in Iowa. Photo by Mike Theiler/UPI | License Photo

Biden speaks at a community event at Iowa Central Community College, in Fort Dodge on January 21. Photo by Mike Theiler/UPI | License Photo

Biden speaks at a community event in Ames on January 21. Candidates continue to campaign ahead of Iowa's first-in-the-nation caucuses on Monday. Biden has said that approaching the Middle East with diplomacy could alleviate the violence and tension felt with the United States. Photo by Mike Theiler/UPI | License Photo

Klobuchar speaks at a campaign rally in Des Moines on Sunday. She has said she would leave some troops in the Middle East but at a lower level. Photo by Mike Theiler/UPI | License Photo

In her campaign, Klobuchar has also cited a lack of support among Democrats for a Medicare for All plan and said the focus in the healthcare debate should be on solving specific issues under a nonprofit public option. Photo by Mike Theiler/UPI | License Photo

Buttigieg, former mayor of South Bend, Ind., greets supporters as he concludes a town hall campaign stop in Newton on January 15. Buttigieg unveiled a $1 trillion infrastructure plan that aims to improve water quality, public transit and the national Highway Trust Fund. Photo by Mike Theiler/UPI | License Photo

As a military veteran, Buttigieg has criticized Trump for sending more troops to the Middle East but suggested the United States continue to remain engaged. Photo by Mike Theiler/UPI | License Photo

Sanders responds to a question at the Brown & Black Presidential Forum. He has spoken out against high medical costs and tech giants. Photo by Mike Theiler/UPI | License Photo

Sanders is cheered by supporters as he arrives for a campaign rally in Ames on Saturday. Sanders also unveiled a plan to completely wipe out $1.6 trillion in student debt. Photo by Mike Theiler/UPI | License Photo

Warren speaks at a block party for community activists in Des Moines on January 18. The Massachusetts senator unveiled a plan to cancel most Americans' federal student loan debts and said she will begin on her first day in the White House. Photo by Mike Theiler/UPI | License Photo

Warren responds to a question at the Brown & Black Presidential Forum. Photo by Mike Theiler/UPI | License Photo

Steyer, a billionaire hedge fund investor, has makeup applied before going on a post-debate program in Des Moines on January 14. Steyer says that his experience building a business and creating jobs sets him apart from other candidates. Photo by Mike Theiler/UPI | License Photo

Entrepreneur Andrew Yang responds to a question at the Brown & Black Presidential Forum. He raised more than $16.5 million in the fourth quarter of campaign fundraising. Photo by Mike Theiler/UPI | License Photo