Clinton, Obama split New England states

Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton split a pair of New England primaries Tuesday night and sought bigger prizes in Ohio and Texas in a riveting Democratic presidential race. Arizona Sen. John McCain, a political maverick and unflinching supporter of the Iraq War, clinched the Republican nomination.

Obama won the Vermont primary, gaining nearly 60 percent of the vote for a 12th straight victory over the former first lady.

She countered quickly, winning in Rhode Island, where she was collecting about 53 percent of the vote.

Ohio and Texas were the big trophies of the night, rich in delegates with the potential to prove decisive in the Democratic race.

The onus was on Clinton to break through after a string of setbacks, but her challenge was compounded by Obama's growing lead in the delegate chase.

Obama took an early lead in Texas based almost entirely on a record outpouring of votes cast before primary day.

The Ohio count was delayed by heavy voting that kept some polls in Sandusky and Cleveland open for 90 minutes past the scheduled 7:30 p.m. close.

Create a More Connected Minnesota

MPR News is your trusted resource for the news you need. With your support, MPR News brings accessible, courageous journalism and authentic conversation to everyone - free of paywalls and barriers. Your gift makes a difference.