Cruz And Sanders Win Big On Super Saturday

Ted Cruz (L) and Bernie Sanders (R)

Ted Cruz has won the Republican presidential caucuses in Kansas and Maine, strengthening his position as the prime alternative to Donald Trump.

The result adds to Mr Cruz’s previous victories in Iowa, Alaska, Oklahoma and his home state of Texas.

Although the outcome may have slowed Mr Trump’s momentum slightly, the brash billionaire still came out top in contests held in Louisiana and Kentucky – furthering his lead in the delegate count.

The results leave Mr Trump with 378 delegates, Mr Cruz 295, Marco Rubio  123 and John Kasich  34 – with 1,237 delegates required to win the Republican nomination.

During a speech in Florida, Mr Trump suggested that Marco Rubio – a rival he has exchanged frequent personal attacks with – should now drop out of the race.

“I would love to take on Ted Cruz one on one,” he said.

“Marco Rubio had a very, very bad night and personally I call for him to drop out of the race. I think it’s time now that he dropped out of the race. I really think so.”

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The results will boost Mr Cruz’s claim that he is the best bet for establishment Republicans who do not want Mr Trump to become the nominee.

He told supporters in Idaho: “What we’re seeing is Republicans coming together. What we’re seeing is libertarians coming together. What we’re seeing is men and women who love freedom and love the Constitution coming and uniting and standing as one behind this campaign.”

For the Democrats, three states were in play – and Bernie Sanders swept to victory in the caucuses being held in Nebraska and Kansas.

Hillary Clinton  was looking to cement her front runner status for the nomination, but only secured a win in the Louisiana primary.

With 2,383 delegates needed to win the Democratic nomination, Mrs Clinton currently has 1,121 and Mr Sanders 479.

The next big round of voting will come on Tuesday – with Democrats heading to primaries in Mississippi and the large industrial state of Michigan.

Republicans will also be holding a contest in those two states, in addition to caucuses in Hawaii and a primary in Idaho.

-news.sky