Sanders beats Clinton in three states

United States (U.S.) Democratic presidential contender, Bernie Sanders, has won nominating contests in Alaska, Washington and Hawaii, chipping away at frontrunner, Hillary Clinton’s, lead in the race to pick the party’s candidate for the White House.

Sanders’ wins on Saturday underscored Clinton’s vulnerabilities within her own party, particularly with young voters and liberal activists who have been inspired by her rival’s left-of-centre message.

In an interview with the Associated Press news agency, Sanders cast his performance as part of a Western comeback, saying he expects to close the delegate gap with Clinton as the contest moves to the more liberal northeastern states, including her home state of New York.

He also said his campaign is increasing its outreach to super-delegates, the party insiders who can pick either candidate, and are overwhelmingly with Clinton.

“The Deep South is a very conservative part of the country,” he said. “Now that we’re heading into a progressive part of the country, we expect to do much better.”

He added: “There is a path to victory.” With Clinton far in front, however, it is a difficult path.

Clinton anticipated the losses. She barely campaigned in the three Western states, making one day of stops in Washington state.

She is turning her focus to the April 19 contest in New York, seeking to win a large share of the delegates at stake and to avoid the blow of losing to Sanders in a state she represented in the Senate.