Clinton defeats Sanders in New York, solidifying hold on race

[NEW YORK] Hillary Clinton won New York's Democratic primary, ending a string of defeats by challenger Bernie Sanders and reasserting her control in the fight for the presidential nomination.

The former secretary of state was projected the winner by television networks in her adopted home state. In the Republican contest, Donald Trump defeated Ohio governor John Kasich and Texas Senator Ted Cruz by a wide margin.

While he trailed Mrs Clinton in votes and delegates, Mr Sanders had surged over the past several weeks, winning seven of the eight primaries and caucuses and attracting crowds of as much as 28,000 at rallies.

An upset in the Empire State would have severely dented Mrs Clinton's status as the clear front-runner for the Democratic nomination. But Mrs Clinton emphasized her New York roots and ability to deliver results for the state as US senator to come away with a convincing win.

Mrs Clinton now is looking to primaries April 26 in Pennsylvania, Connecticut, Delaware, Maryland and Rhode Island, after which her campaign hopes to have accumulated a lead in delegates that would be almost impossible for Mr Sanders to overcome.

The New York vote "was make-or-break" for Mr Sanders, said Joe Trippi, a Democratic consultant who advised numerous presidential campaigns.

"On the 26th, that's going to start slamming the door on him.''

Mrs Clinton says her lead in pledged delegates over Mr Sanders already is larger than any advantage Barack Obama had over her in their 2008 primary fight.

Including superdelegates - party leaders and officials who are free to change their support - Mrs Clinton led the delegate race before Tuesday's vote 1,758 to 1,076, according to an Associated Press tally. New York has 291 delegates available in the Democratic primary.

BLOOMBERG