WASHINGTON After Joe Biden s big night on Super Tuesday and Sen. Bernie Sanders less-than-expected performance in the multiple Democratic presidential primaries some House Democrats were high-fiving each other Wednesday. Literally.

Rep. Juan Vargas of California, a Biden supporter and frequent critic of Sanders, told reporters that he and some of his colleagues were reveling in the Vermont senators struggles.

People were very happy, Vargas said. There was a huge sigh of relief.

He added that the sense among some House Democrats was that the party had come to our senses, you know? Were not going to implode.

We were all high-fiving, as Biden ended up winning 10 of Tuesdays 14 primaries an almost unimaginable outcome just a few days ago. Were all happy. Everyones excited today. It was a good night last night, he said.

Vargas estimated that he had talked with at least 30 House Democrats, and all but four were happy that Biden and not Sanders had the strong showing on Super Tuesday.

Thank God its not Bernie, said Vargas, first elected to his House seat in 2012. We just dodged a bullet a Bernie bullet.

Vargas, whose district encompassed all of Californias border with Mexico, was the most vocal member taking a victory lap Wednesday. Several other Democrats were more muted, perhaps sensing how touchy the subject of Sanders sudden struggles, given the enthusiasm he sparks among many of his supporters.

Still, the sense of relief among the more moderate Democratic lawmakers was clear.

Rep. Jim Costa of California told Politico Wednesday that a lot of his House colleagues now believe theyve got a standard-bearer who can not only win in November, but protect our majority in the House and give us an opportunity to win the Senate.

A potentially vulnerable House Democrat who would only speak on background told a small group of reporters that Democrats in tough districts have a little bounce in our step after Biden seized the frontrunner status from Sanders.

We went into last night thinking it was gonna be a tough night, and came out on cloud nine, this member said.