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As it happenedended

Democratic debate: Who won? Candidates clash over healthcare, immigration, impeachment and more

Candidates clash over immigration, gun violence and the economy

Clark Mindock
Miami
,Chris Stevenson,Chelsea Ritschel
Thursday 27 June 2019 01:41 EDT
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Democratic debate: Best moments of night one

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The race to the White house has officially begun, with the first Democratic presidential debate in Miami now over.

Tonight's showdown featured: Cory Booker, Bill de Blasio, Julián Castro, John Delaney, Tulsi Gabbard​, Jay Inslee​, Amy Klobuchar, Beto O'Rourke, Tim Ryan and Elizabeth Warren.

The candidates clashed over immigration, gun violence and the economy - as well as getting in a number of digs at President Donald Trump.

The second 2020 debate will take place on Thursday evening with the remaining ten candidates having their chance to prove why they should be America's next president.

Follow how the debate progressed in the liveblog below

Please allow a moment for our liveblog to load

Tulsi Gabbard says he agrees with the idea of medicare for all but we just need to make sure that "no sick American" is left behind.

Chris Stevenson27 June 2019 02:28

Cory Booker is now saying that premiums need to come down and that insurance companies are "profiteering".

Elizabeth Warren jumps in on the same point - it plays into her campaign pledge of structural change.

Jay Inslee has turned to the idea of abortion rights and says he is the only one to pass a law to protect a woman's right to choose in healthcare.

Chris Stevenson27 June 2019 02:30

Amy Klobuchar says there are "three women up on this stage" that have "campaigned pretty hard for a women's right to choose.

Chris Stevenson27 June 2019 02:30

Onto the issue of Roe Vs Wade - Warren says it needs to be federal law.

Chris Stevenson27 June 2019 02:34

We are into out first advert break.

Here is Inslee on abortion and healthcare.

Chris Stevenson27 June 2019 02:34

Elizabeth Warren. Tim Ryan and Amy Klobuchar will be happy with their opening gambits - Beto O'Rourke will also be happy with his airtime.

Chris Stevenson27 June 2019 02:35

Just before the break Cory Booker gets another question. Will you hold companies that produce opioids criminally accountable?

Mr Booker would absolutely hold them accountable, they’re liable for debts. O’Rourke would too. He slates Purdue Pharma. They’ve exploited people, and he would prosecute them.

Chris Stevenson27 June 2019 02:36

We are onto the big one, immigration and the photograph that has hit the news the last 24 hours of the father and daughter, Oscar Alberto Martinez Ramirez and his 23-month-old Valeria, who dies trying to make it to the US.

Julian Castro says the image "should p*** us all off".

Chris Stevenson27 June 2019 02:38

Donald Trump has made his feelings on the debate clear:

Chris Stevenson27 June 2019 02:42

Beto O'Rourke on immigration policy on day one of his presidency:

"We would not detain any family fleeing violence" and says he would "re-write immigration laws in our own image"

He says he would help change the situation in Central America to stop people needing to cross the border.

Chris Stevenson27 June 2019 02:44

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