Washington: Billionaire Donald Trump swept all five presidential primaries held on Tuesday, strengthening his hold on the Republican race, while Democrat Hillary Clinton distanced herself from rival Bernie Sanders with three solid wins.
Trump defeated his rivals Ted Cruz and John Kasich in Connecticut, Delaware, Maryland, Pennsylvania and Rhode Island — a stunning show of force by a candidate seen as a populist political savior by millions despite being loathed by the party establishment.
On the Democratic side, US networks projected Clinton as the winner in Delaware, Maryland and the night’s big prize, the battleground state of Pennsylvania. But her clean sweep was denied by Sanders, who claimed a victory in Rhode Island, according to projections. He was also leading narrowly in Connecticut, according to early vote counts, but that race was still too close to call.
“Thank you Pennsylvania! What a great night,” Clinton told a crowd of supporters in Philadelphia.
