Cruz, Sanders emerge victorious in Wisconsin primaries

MILWAUKEE (AP) - Republican Ted Cruz stormed to a commanding victory in Wisconsin Tuesday, denting front-runner Donald Trump's chances of capturing the GOP nomination before the party's convention. Bernie Sanders carried the Democratic race over Hillary Clinton, a win that still leaves him with a mathematically difficult path to the White House.  

Trump's defeat capped one of the worst periods of his campaign, a brutal stretch that highlighted his weaknesses with women and raised questions about his policy depth. While the billionaire businessman still leads the Republican field, Cruz and an array of anti-Trump forces hope Wisconsin signals the start of his decline.

"Tonight is a turning point," Cruz told cheering supporters at a victory rally. "It is a call from the hardworking people of Wisconsin to America. We have a choice. A real choice."

For Sanders, Wisconsin was the latest in a string of victories that have given him an incentive to keep competing against Clinton.  But he still trails her in the pledged delegate count and has so far been unable to persuade superdelegates-- the party officials who can back any candidate -- to drop their allegiance to the former secretary of state and back his campaign.