Clinton, Sanders close in Kentucky primary; victory for Trump in Oregon

ByKEN THOMAS AP logo
Wednesday, May 18, 2016
Primary votes cast today in Kentucky and Oregon
Political reporter Dave Evans has the latest details.

WASHINGTON -- Democrats Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders are in a closely divided race in Kentucky's presidential primary as the results are reported Tuesday night.

Clinton is trying to avoid losses in Kentucky and Oregon to blunt Sanders' recent momentum. Clinton holds a formidable lead of nearly 300 pledged delegates but Sanders has won primaries in Indiana and West Virginia as the primary race approaches the final contests in June.

Clinton is on track to clinch the Democratic nomination in early June but she's trying to avoid primary defeats during the final stretch as she prepares for Republican Donald Trump.

Sanders had an early lead as results came in for Oregon's primary on Tuesday night. He is coming off recent primary wins in Indiana and West Virginia.

Republicans also voted Tuesday in Oregon, and presumptive nominee Donald Trump won easily.

Trump has 1,143 delegates heading into the Oregon primary. He needs 1,237 to clinch the nomination.

There were 28 delegates at stake in Oregon's Republican primary.