Hillary Clinton defeated Sen. Bernard Sanders in the California primary, capping a historic night with another win after effectively wrapping up the Democratic presidential nomination.
The Associated Press called the race early Wednesday morning.
The loss in California, where Mr. Sanders had been competing heavily, is a big blow to him. It also allows Mrs. Clinton to stave off what would have been an embarrassing defeat for her in the state with the most delegates at stake, after she had delivered a victory speech in Brooklyn Tuesday evening.
Mrs. Clinton also picked up wins in New Jersey, New Mexico, and South Dakota, while Mr. Sanders won North Dakota and Montana.
Before California was called for Mrs. Clinton, Mr. Sanders had told supporters in Santa Monica he planned to compete in next week’s Democratic primary in Washington, D.C.
“And then we take our fight for social, economic, racial and environmental justice to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania,” Mr. Sanders said, referring to the site of the Democratic National Convention.
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The White House said in a statement late Tuesday that President Obama called both Mrs. Clinton and Mr. Sanders, and that the president and Mr. Sanders would meet at the White House on Thursday at the Vermont senator’s request.
• David Sherfinski can be reached at dsherfinski@washingtontimes.com.
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