As primary season steadily winds down, both Republicans and Democrats are closing in on the number of delegates needed to take the nominations. Of course, Donald Trump has stood as the presumptive GOP nominee for weeks, ever since Ted Cruz left some parting gifts while ducking out of the race. John Kasich vacated the next day, but his impact was so negligible that folks barely noticed. On the left side, Bernie Sanders is still fighting Hillary Clinton all the way to the (very) bitter end. It won’t be long, however, before Clinton gathers enough delegates to secure her nomination, so the Bern will have to make these remaining states count in order to justify a contested convention.
Last time around, Sanders swept West Virginia coal country after Clinton’s faux pas that the miners did not forget. However, Sanders hasn’t exactly been specializing in delegate-rich states, so he’ll need to buckle down and take California to nab an an ounce of hope. Hopefully, his Bernie Bros will eventually stop embarrassing their chosen candidate too. This Tuesday, only two states — Kentucky and Oregon — cast their primary votes. We’re almost at general election season’s door, folks. Who won tonight?
The delegate game is still in play. On the Republican side, 1237 is the magic number to secure the nomination while Democrats require 2382. Before Tuesday, the delegate counts stood as follows.
Trump: 1143 total delegates
Sanders: 1473 total delegates (1433 pledged and 40 superdelegates)
Clinton: 2240 total delegates (1716 pledged and 524 superdelegates)
Here are Tuesday evening’s primary results.
Kentucky
Democrats: In a race that was almost too close to call, Clinton (46.8%) squeaks away from Sanders (46.3%).
Oregon
Democrats: Sanders (53%) takes this state over Clinton (47%).
Republicans: Trump scores a no-contest win (66%).
(Via Real Clear Politics & CNN)