Denizens of the Hoosier state head to the polls on Tuesday in a key presidential primary contest for both political parties. Here is what’s at stake for the Republicans and the Democrats:
Republican Primary (57 Delegates)
It has been said before, but this time it may really be true — this is the last chance for Donald Trump’s foes to stop him from winning the nomination. Trump currently has 996 delegates. He needs a total of 1,237 to win the Republican nomination on the first ballot at the party’s convention in July — which would likely be his only chance at the nod, as it is thought that in an open convention Ted Cruz, John Kasich, or perhaps even another candidate like Mitt Romney would be nominated.
Cruz has no path to the nomination on the first ballot, but he could theoretically stop Trump from getting to 1,237 delegates. But several remaining states — including California and New Jersey — are likely to break for Trump. So if Cruz doesn’t take the majority of the delegates in Indiana on Tuesday evening, his plan to Trump may die. The polls currently don’t look good for Cruz, with Trump ahead in Indiana by an average of 10 points.
Democratic Primary (83 Delegates)
Hillary Clinton has stemmed Bernie Sanders’ rising tide, posting a big win in New York last month and winning another handful of primaries a week later. Still, Sanders is vowing to stay in the race until the party’s convention and fight for superdelegates along the way. If Sanders wins in Indiana, his plan may gain some degree of legitimacy. Sanders is currently trailing in the polls, but by just around 6%. The Vermont senator has outperformed his polling in the region before, so it is possible he’ll do better than expected.
