WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump has clinched the Republican Party nomination, surpassing the necessary delegate threshold.
Trump, who had only token opposition, now has more than the 1,276 delegates needed after winning Tuesday’s Florida and Illinois primaries, according to The Associated Press’ delegate count.
That makes Trump the undisputed Republican nominee as Democrats continue to wage a contested primary contest between former Vice-President Joe Biden and Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders.
This is the earliest the delegate calendar permits a Republican to clinch the nomination.
“It shows the enthusiasm behind President Trump, it shows how unified Republicans are behind President Trump and how intense their support for him is,” said Trump campaign spokesman Tim Murtaugh, who noted Trump has set record vote tallies, even in largely uncontested contests.
“Republicans and President Trump’s supporters have been just itching to get involved in the process that will end with his reelection in November,” Murtaugh said.