Ted Cruz takes Wyoming as New York vote looms

Republican US presidential hopeful racks up small wins and gains ground on Trump

Ted Cruz: trying to stop Donald Trump getting the 1,237 delegates needed to secure the Republican nomination in July. Photograph: Brendan Bannon/The New York Times
Ted Cruz: trying to stop Donald Trump getting the 1,237 delegates needed to secure the Republican nomination in July. Photograph: Brendan Bannon/The New York Times

Republican US presidential hopeful Ted Cruz won all 14 delegates at stake on Saturday in Wyoming.

Mr Cruz is trying to prevent Mr Trump from obtaining the 1,237 delegates needed to secure the Republican nomination in July. By continuing to rack up small wins, Mr Cruz is gaining ground on Mr Trump, who has failed to shift his focus to the local-level campaigning needed to win delegates.

Mr Trump has been critical of the process, again calling it "rigged" while speaking at a rally in Syracuse, New York. He has repeatedly complained about Colorado, which awarded all 34 of its delegates to Mr Cruz despite not holding a popular vote.

While Mr Trump has won 21 nominating contests to Cruz’s 10, the billionaire leads the Texas senator by 196 delegates (755-559). That means he must win nearly 60 per cent of the remainder before July.

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Mr Cruz spoke at the convention in Wyoming, capping off a months-long effort in the state. Mr Trump had originally planned to send former Alaska governor Sarah Palin, but she cancelled. Mr Trump was speaking in New York, ahead of the state's primary on Tuesday. –(Reuters)