Bernie Sanders upset Hillary Clinton to win the Indiana primary on Tuesday, keeping the Democratic race going even as the Republican contest nears a resolution.
It is unlikely it will help his campaign catch up to Clinton in the nominating process as he is already hundreds of delegates behind.
But Sanders told the Associated Press afterward, “I know that the Clinton campaign thinks this campaign is over. They’re wrong.” He was headed to a 53 percent to 47 percent victory over Clinton in Indiana at the time.
Going in to Tuesday’s primary, the former secretary of state held a slight lead among likely Democratic voters in the state. Sanders has been popular among Midwestern white voters in previous primaries. Indiana’s primary is also open. Sanders has benefited when independents have been allowed to vote.
The Clinton campaign did not put much effort in to the Hoosier State, spending virtually no money on advertising while the Sanders campaign spent $1.8 million. In the days leading up to the Indiana primary, Clinton chose to campaign in Appalachia in order to prepare for next week’s primaries.
Clinton won Indiana in 2008. But Sanders had supporters who helped him bounce back.
Jennifer Kersage told the Washington Examiner she voted for Sanders because she thinks Clinton is “evil.”
“And she lied about those emails,” she added. “And she just always has like resting bitch face.”
Despite Sanders’ win, it is unlikely he could catch Clinton in the race to 2,383 delegates, as she currently has 2,183 and he has 1,406, including pledged delegates and superdelegates.
In his rally as votes in Indiana were being counted, Sanders focused on Trump rather than Clinton.
“I know there is a fear all over this country Donald Trump will be elected president of the United States I’m here to tell you that wont happen. That won’t happen because in every national poll I’ve seen we beat Donald Trump by big numbers,” Sanders explained to supporters.
“The American people understand that coming together always Trump’s dividing us up,” Sanders added. “The American people understand that what America is about and what makes us great is supporting each other.”
The Vermont senator’s campaign expects to force a contested convention in July, though many other observers are skeptical. After last Tuesday’s primary, they cut over 200 staff members and relocated most of their staffers and assets to California, which will vote on June 7.
