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No, Bernie Sanders is not the first candidate to win the popular vote in the first 3 state primary elections or caucuses in a competitive year. For instance, as User Tgr points out, Jimmy Carter won the first 3 contests in 1980 despite facing stiff competition from Ted Kennedy.

Depending on the definition of "competitive primary" used (which neither source articulates), there are potentially several more examples. For instance, as the Newsweek article itself notes, Al Gore won the first 3 contests against Bill Bradley in 2000.

No, Bernie Sanders is not the first candidate to win the popular vote in the first 3 state primary elections or caucuses in a competitive year. For instance, as user Tgr points out, Jimmy Carter won the first 3 contests in 1980 despite facing stiff competition from Ted Kennedy.

Depending on the definition of "competitive primary" used (which neither source articulates), there are potentially several more examples. For instance, as the Newsweek article itself notes, Al Gore won the first 3 contests against Bill Bradley in 2000.

Without a clear and reasonable definition of "competitive primary", this does not rise to the level of a factual claim that can be confirmed or refuted. Neither of your sources articulates what they mean by "competitive primary".

(However, as the Newsweek article itself notes, Al Gore won the first 3 contests against Bill Bradley in 2000.)

No, Bernie Sanders is not the first candidate to win the popular vote in the first 3 state primary elections or caucuses in a competitive year. For instance, as User Tgr points out, Jimmy Carter won the first 3 contests in 1980 despite facing stiff competition from Ted Kennedy.

Depending on the definition of "competitive primary" used (which neither source articulates), there are potentially several more examples. For instance, as the Newsweek article itself notes, Al Gore won the first 3 contests against Bill Bradley in 2000.

Without a clear and reasonable definition of "competitive primary", this does not rise to the level of a factual claim that can be confirmed or refuted.

(However, as the Newsweek article itself notes, Al Gore won the first 3 contests against Bill Bradley in 2000. It is hard to see what rigorous standard they might be applying that excludes that primary as "noncompetitive".)

Without a clear and reasonable definition of "competitive primary", this does not rise to the level of a factual claim that can be confirmed or refuted. Neither of your sources articulates what they mean by "competitive primary".

(However, as the Newsweek article itself notes, Al Gore won the first 3 contests against Bill Bradley in 2000.)