Democratic debate: Protesters interrupt Joe Biden during his closing segment
10 presidential hopefuls took to the stage in Houston
Your support helps us to tell the story
My recent work focusing on Latino voters in Arizona has shown me how crucial independent journalism is in giving voice to underrepresented communities.
Your support is what allows us to tell these stories, bringing attention to the issues that are often overlooked. Without your contributions, these voices might not be heard.
Every dollar you give helps us continue to shine a light on these critical issues in the run up to the election and beyond
Eric Garcia
Washington Bureau Chief
The leading 10 candidates for the Democratic presidential nomination took to the debating stage, bringing heavyweights in the field Elizabeth Warren, Joe Biden and Bernie Sanders all on to the same stage for the first time.
The presidential hopefuls tackled healthcare, gun control, education and more, with several heated clashes between the rivals.
In the last section of the debate, former Vice President Biden was interrupted when he went to answer a question about his “most significant professional setback”.
Although it was unclear what the protest was about, people in the hall have said the demonstrators chanted: “We are DACA recipients. Our lives are at risk.”
Earlier in the debate Mr Biden had been questioned about deportations under the Barack Obama administration, a question which he deftly dodged.
He came under particular fire from Julian Castro, both over who could claim the mantle of being the true successor to Barack Obama and, controversially, over Mr Biden's memory.
Beto O'Rourke focused on gun violence and said he would institute a mandatory buyback scheme for assault rifles, saying: "Hell yes, we are going to take your AR-15s."
Tonight’s candidates were: Mr Biden, Ms Warren, Mr Sanders Cory Booker, Pete Buttigieg, Julian Castro, Kamala Harris, Amy Klobuchar, Beto O’Rourke, and Andrew Yang.
Catch-up on events as they happened below.
Please allow a moment for our liveblog to load
Because we know you would want to know, we asked Elizabeth Warren's political director what snacks she *would have brought* if she had thought to bring something to nom on, and she has delivered:
We've now begun opening statements, with the candidates going in reverse order according to polls.
Julián Castro says that he wants to see a Democratic president, House, and Senate.
Claims "we need a bold" vision including universal healthcare, and pre-care, and a tax system that favours working people.
Julián Castro also promised to win Texas in 2020 if he is the nominee.
Amy Klobuchar is up, cracking some jokes.
"Houston, we have a problem," she tells the Houston audience, attacking Donald Trump.
Ms Klobuchar says "I've got a better way" while noting that some of her opponents may have views that are seen as a bit too progressive.
Beto O'Rourke is up, getting some woots from the crowd.
He's leading off with gun control, following the shooting in El Paso in August.
He says Trump is "dangerous", and says that racism was let out by the president.
O'Rourke says that American politics of today is "insufficient" to address the issues facing the nation.
Cory Booker up now, talking about the challenges facing Newark, New Jersey, where he was a mayor.
Booker says that "we created extraordinary unity in our community, and we did things that other thought was impossible".
He is running a starkly optimistic campaign.
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments