US primaries: Trump makes clean sweep in five states; Clinton wins four, loses one

Republican frontrunner Donald Trump made a clean sweep in primaries in five northeastern states – Connecticut, Delaware, Maryland, Pennsylvania and Rhode Island.

But it was not so easy for Democratic favourite Hillar Clinton, who stumbled in Rhode Island and was lagging Bernie Sanders in Connecticut for much of the counting.

Mr Trump's lowest percentage of the vote was 55% in Maryland and the highest, 64%, was in Rhode Island. He will likely pick up all 172 delegates, giving him a total of 927 but still needing 1237 to clinch the nomination at the Republican National Convention in Cleveland in July.

Mrs Clinton comfortably won three states, Delaware, Maryland and Pennsylvania, and scored over 50% in all but Rhode Island.

Mr Sanders' surprise victory in Rhode Island was by a 12-point margin.

Mr Sanders has taken his delegate toll to 1213 but still way behind Mrs Clinton's 1999. Latest projections show she needs only to win 21% of the remaining delegates and uncommitted superdelegates to hit 2383

Mr Trump’s rivals, Ted Cruz and John Kasich, whose highest shares were less than 25%, are already looking ahead to May 3’s contest in Indiana as may be their last chance to hold back Mr Trump from ultimate victory.

Polls have shown Mr Trump leading in Indiana but Mr Cruz hopes to improve his chances following his deal with Mr Kasich that calls for him not to compete there.

Indiana has 57 delegates at stake and a win for Mr Trump will make it much harder for his rivals to stop him reaching the majority before the convention.

In exchange, the Cruz campaign will stay out of Oregon’s primary on May 17 and New Mexico’s on June 7.

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RESULTS

Connecticut (final)
Republican
Ted Cruz 12%
John Kasich 28%
• Donald Trump 58% 28 delegates
Democrat
• Hillary Clinton 51% 27 delegates
Bernie Sanders 47% 24 delegates

Delaware (final)
Republican
Ted Cruz 16%
John Kasich 20%
• Donald Trump 61% 16 delegates
Democrat 
• Hillary Clinton 60% 12 delegates
Bernie Sanders 39% 9 delegates

Maryland (final)
Republican
Ted Cruz 18%
John Kasich 22%
• Donald Trump 56% 35 delegates
Democrat
• Hillary Clinton 63% 53 delegates
Bernie Sanders 33% 24 delegates

Pennsylvania (final)
Republican
Ted Cruz 22%
John Kasich 19%
• Donald Trump 57% 17 delegates
Democrat
• Hillary Clinton 56% 91 delegates
Bernie Sanders 43% 59 delegates

Rhode Island (final)
Republican
Ted Cruz 10% 1 delegate
John Kasich 24% 5 delegates
• Donald Trump 64% 9 delegates
Democrat
Hillary Clinton 43%11 delegates
• Bernie Sanders 55% 13 delegates