Primary Results 2016: Hillary Clinton Claims Presumptive Democratic Presidential Nomination, But Bernie Sanders Fights On
Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has claimed the presumptive presidential nominee for the Democratic Party on Tuesday night following
Clinton Claims Historic Presumptive Nomination
With six states hosting either a primary of caucus on Tuesday, the night would give Clinton the sufficient combination number of pledged delegates and superdelegates to clinch the required 2,382 delegates needed for the Democratic Party's nomination -- although superdelegates' votes are not cast until July.
"It may be hard to see tonight, but we are all standing under a glass ceiling right now, but don't worry, we're not smashing this one," Clinton said to supporters in Brooklyn.
"Tonight caps an amazing journey, a long, long journey," said Clinton. "We all owe so much to those who came before, and tonight belongs to all of you."
She congratulated her Democratic primary rival Bernie Sanders for the campaign he has run - notably using the past tense of "run" instead of currently "running" since Sanders has yet to suspend his presidential campaign.
"I want to congratulate Sen. Sanders for the extraordinary campaign he has run. He has spent his long career in public service fighting for progressive causes and principles and he's excited millions of voters, especially young people. Let there be no mistake: Sen. Sanders, his campaign and the vigorous debate that we've had about how to raise income, reduce inequality, increase upward mobility, have been very good for the Democratic Party and for America," Clinton said.
Clinton took aim at presumptive Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump, labeling him as "temperamentally unfit" to serve in the Oval Office.
"[Trump] has abused his primary opponents and their families, attacked the press for asking tough questions, denigrated Muslims and immigrants," said Clinton. "He wants to win by stoking fear and rubbing salt in wounds and reminding us daily just how great he is. We believe we should lift each other up, not tear each other down."
Meanwhile in California, Sanders continued campaigning. He didn't directly congratulate Clinton on her presumptive nominee status, but did acknowledge her few primary victories on June 7. Sanders will continue campaigning with a rally scheduled in Washington, D.C. scheduled on Thursday, June 9, from The Armory at RFK Stadium.
Voting Results Are Still Trickling In
New Jersey was the first primary state to close its voting doors on Tuesday, and as surveys projected, Clinton won the Garden State. With 98 percent of the precincts reporting shortly after 6 a.m. EDT, Clinton received 63.3 percent of the vote and Sanders won 36.7 percent of the vote. Of the state's total 142 delegates, Clinton is so far projected to secure 75 pledged delegates, 47 pledged delegates for Sanders, but 12 superdelegates have aligned themselves for the former New York senator.
Trump also won the Republican presidential primary in New Jersey with 80.6 percent, winning all of the state's 51 delegates.
Traveling west, with 98 percent of the precincts reporting, Clinton narrowly won the New Mexico primary with 51.5 percent to 48.5 percent. Clinton is expected to score 18 pledged delegates, but Sanders is right behind her with 16 pledged delegates of the total 43 delegates available.
Trump easily won New Mexico with 70.7 percent and winning all 24 delegates.
Going north to Montana, Trump secured all 27 Republican delegates after winning its primary with 73.7 percent.
Sanders scored his first win in Montana's primary with 51 percent to Clinton's 44.6 percent. Of the total 27 delegates, 11 pledged delegates will go to Sanders, but Clinton almost matched, with 10 pledged delegates.
In North Dakota's caucus, Sanders won the last caucus in the nation with 64.2 percent to Clinton's 25.6 percent. He's projected to win at least 13 of its pledged delegates, while five pledged delegates will go to Clinton, although there are a total 23 delegates available in the state.
Neighboring South Dakota hosted a primary that saw Clinton narrowly edging Sanders with 51 percent to 49 percent, respectively. With 25 total delegates at stake, both candidates tied in the pledged delegate count at 10, each, while five superdelegates are undetermined until July.
Trump won the South Dakota primary with 67.1 percent and nabbing all 29 pledged delegates.
Finally in California, where Sanders campaigned hard to sustain his campaign, Clinton is projected to win. Although only 69 percent of the precincts have reported, Clinton is projected to win with so far 56 percent to Sanders' 43 percent. California is home to the largest total delegate count, at 550. So far, 238 pledged delegates are expected for Clinton and 155 pledged delegates for Sanders.
Trump also won the Republican California primary with all 172 delegates due to his 75.4 percent win.
California served as the final Republican presidential primary, but the final Democratic primary in the country will be in Washington, D.C. on July 14.
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For the latest updates, follow Latin Post's Michael Oleaga on Twitter: @EditorMikeO or contact via email: m.oleaga@latinpost.com.
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