Democratic nominee Bernie Sanders won the Indiana Democratic primary today, in a shock victory against Democratic frontrunner Hillary Clinton.
This unexpected reversal complicates Clinton's efforts to wrap up the primary season as soon as possible.
"I understand that Secretary Clinton campaign thinks that this campaign is over. I've got some bad news for her," said Sanders.
The senator's latest victory comes despite trailing behind Clinton in polls -- RealClearPolitics's polling average gave Clinton a 7-point lead, and no poll found Sanders behind by less than four points.
Reports say Sanders won with 53 percent of the vote compared with 47 percent for Hillary Clinton, with 64 percent of precincts counted. This makes Indiana Sanders' 18th victory of 2016.
Because of the Democrats' proportional allocation rules, Sanders and Clinton are likely to split Indiana's 92 delegates, so Clinton will retain her large delegate lead.
By winning Indiana, Sanders will enhance his ability to maintain the fundraising and staffing that have made his campaign possible. Sanders is now well placed to pull off similar wins in West Virginia on May 10 and Oregon on May 17.
However, overall victory is unlikely, as Sanders needs to win 66 percent of the remaining pledged delegates to claim a majority of them.
Despite this, Sanders and his supporters will continue to fight for his objectives in the remaining states. He aims to show the support for left wing positions amongst disaffected voters before the Democratic convention in July.
Clinton will now look ahead to the general election against likely Republican nominee Donald Trump, but remain mindful of the Sanders threat she still faces.
Newshub.
