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Donald Trump wins Arizona Republican primary

Posted at 8:25 PM, Mar 22, 2016
and last updated 2016-03-23 00:07:39-04
PHOENIX (AP) - Donald Trump rolled to victory Tuesday in the Arizona Republican primary, capitalizing on his harsh border rhetoric and endorsement of immigration hard-liners to secure the state's rich delegate prize.
 
On the Democratic side, Hillary Clinton was ahead of Bernie Sanders, who went all-out to turn around his campaign in Arizona after getting swept a week ago by the former first lady and secretary of state.
 
Trump made three campaign appearances before raucous crowds in Arizona, where GOP primaries have long been dominated by the immigration debate. The debate peaked in 2010 with the state's passage of the anti-immigration law known as SB1070 but waned in recent years after business leaders tired of the backlash and series of legal challenges.
 
Trump revived the debate nationally after declaring he would build a wall on the U.S.-Mexico border and make Mexico pay for it. He called Mexican immigrants rapists and drug dealers and vowed to forcibly deport the 11 million people living in the country illegally. He sought the endorsement of Sheriff Joe Arpaio, who made a name for himself as an immigration fighter but was forced by a federal judge to quit enforcing immigration laws after being found to have violated people's constitutional rights.
 
Gov. Jan Brewer also endorsed Trump.
 
In the Democratic race, Sanders courted Latinos, tribal members and young voters in a series of Arizona appearances and drew 7,000 supporters to a Phoenix event.
 
He boldly took on Arpaio over his immigration crackdowns in an attempt to win over Latinos who have years of frustration over the lawman's policies. He made an appearance on the Navajo Nation - a rarity in presidential politics - and his wife toured a sacred Apache site at the center of a bitter fight over a copper mine.
 
But Clinton had the strong backing of the Democratic political establishment and aired TV ads touting the support of former Rep. Gabby Giffords, who was shot in the head five years ago at a Tucson political event. Former President Bill Clinton also came to the state to campaign for his wife.
 
Trump lands 58 delegates for his win, while the winner on the Democratic side wins 75 pledged delegates. Ten Democratic superdelegates can vote for the candidate of their choice.
 
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Associated Press reporters Adam Kealoha Causey contributed in Phoenix, Astrid Galvan contributed from Tucson and Felicia Fonseca from Cameron.