After weekend wins, Clinton is 26 delegates short of clinching nomination
Hillary Clinton won decisive victories in Sunday's Democratic primary in Puerto Rico and Saturday's Virgin Islands caucus, putting her just 26 delegates shy of the 2,383 she needs to clinch the Democratic presidential nomination, according to an Associated Press tally. But like rival Bernie Sanders, Clinton is focusing on California, one of five states that hold nominating contests on Tuesday. At a rally in Sacramento on Sunday, Clinton urged her supporters to turn out on Tuesday, saying she wants to "finish strong in California. It means the world to me." She will almost certainly secure the last 26 delegates in New Jersey on Tuesday, before polls close in California.
In the Virgin Islands, Clinton got all seven delegates up for grabs, and Puerto Rico handed Clinton at least 33 of its 60 delegates, as Clinton beat Sanders 61 percent to 39 percent. With those wins, Clinton has 1,809 pledged delegates to Sanders' 1,520. So Clinton's securing of the nomination on Tuesday will require superdelegates — with those included, Clinton leads Sanders 2,357 to 1,566, according to the AP's count. Sanders is not giving up, pledging to take his argument that he's the superior candidate all the way to the Democratic convention in July, hoping to flip superdelegates. On Sunday, one superdelegate, Puerto Rico's Andres Lopez, got off the fence and endorsed Clinton, saying, "It is time to focus on squashing 'El Trumpo.'"
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Peter has worked as a news and culture writer and editor at The Week since the site's launch in 2008. He covers politics, world affairs, religion and cultural currents. His journalism career began as a copy editor at a financial newswire and has included editorial positions at The New York Times Magazine, Facts on File, and Oregon State University.
-
Lanzarote travel guide: a sea-swept volcanic paradise
The Week Recommends Even a short exploration quickly shows the out-of-this-world island is undeserving of its 'Brits abroad' reputation
By William Leigh Published
-
The extra costs to consider when planning your summer holiday
The Explainer Air fares are on the rise but that is not the only charge you need to pay for your getaway
By Marc Shoffman, The Week UK Published
-
8 genre-defining Black country, folk and blues musicians
The Week Recommends Keeping the legacy alive, even when the industry tries to keep them down
By Scott Hocker, The Week US Published
-
Ukraine cheers House approval of military aid
Speed Read Following a lengthy struggle, the House has approved $95 billion in aid for Ukraine and Israel
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Poland, Germany nab alleged anti-Ukraine spies
Speed Read A man was arrested over a supposed Russian plot to kill Ukrainian President Zelenskyy
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Israel hits Iran with retaliatory airstrike
Speed Read The attack comes after Iran's drone and missile barrage last weekend
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Peter Murrell: Sturgeon's husband charged over SNP 'embezzlement' claims
Speed Read SNP expresses 'shock' as former chief executive rearrested in long-running investigation into claims of mishandled campaign funds
By Arion McNicoll, The Week UK Published
-
Mark Menzies: Tories investigate MP after 'bad people' cash claims
Speed Read Fylde MP will sit as an independent while party looks into allegations he misused campaign funds on medical expenses and blackmail pay-out
By Arion McNicoll, The Week UK Published
-
Why Johnson won't just pass Ukraine aid
Speed Read The House Speaker could have sent $60 billion in military aid to Ukraine — but it would have split his caucus
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Sudan on brink of collapse after a year of war
Speed Read 18 million people face famine as the country continues its bloody downward spiral
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Trump's first criminal trial starts with jury picks
Speed Read The former president faces charges related to hush money payments made to adult film star Stormy Daniels
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published