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Sanders Upsets Clinton in Indiana

Vermont senator still faces nearly insurmountable delegate deficit

Democratic presidential candidate Bernie Sanders speaks at a news conference at the National Press Club, in Washington, Sunday, May 1, 2016. (Al Drago/CQ Roll Call) Democratic presidential candidate Bernie Sanders speaks at a news conference at the National Press Club, in Washington, Sunday, May 1, 2016. (Al Drago/CQ Roll Call)  

Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders came from behind Tuesday night to defeat Hillary Clinton in Indiana’s Democratic primary.  

With 73 percent reporting, Sanders was declared the winner, besting Clinton 53 to 47 percent.  

[Related: Trump Cruises, Cruz Out] After a series of East Coast losses for Sanders last week, the Indiana victory gives Sanders renewed momentum while underscoring Clinton’s weakness as a candidate. But while it’s a symbolic boost to Sanders’ campaign, his victory does little to cut into Clinton’s delegate lead.  

In recent weeks, the Vermont senator has been previewing a new strategy: convincing super delegates to switch from Clinton to Sanders. Clinton, meanwhile, has been previewing her general election message, spending this week on a tour of Appalachia .  

Sanders spent $1.8 million on advertising in Indiana, according to CNN , while Clinton spent nothing on ads. Indiana’s open primary system may have also helped Sanders since independents could vote in the Democratic nominating contest.  

Before the Indiana primary, Clinton was 218 delegates short of clinching the nomination and Sanders was 1,026 delegates short, according to the AP.  


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