WASHINGTON (AP) — The Latest on campaign 2016 as California, Montana, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Dakota and South Dakota vote. (all times Eastern):
11:15 a.m.
New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie says that Donald Trump has the right to express his opinion and that he’s not a racist.
Christie defended the presumptive Republican nominee who has been criticized for saying U.S. District Judge Gonzalo Curiel cannot judge him fairly because he is of Mexican heritage and Trump plans to build a wall with Mexico.
The former Republican presidential candidate and his son, Andrew, are delegates for Trump. They voted Tuesday at the firehouse in their hometown of Mendham. Their names are on the ballot with Trump’s.
Christie told reporters that he wouldn’t take questions on what he called the “judge kerfuffle.”
___
10:20 a.m.
House Speaker Paul Ryan says Donald Trump’s comments on an American-born judge of Mexican heritage are “the textbook definition of racist comments.”
Ryan says that the “mature and responsible thing” would be for Trump to disavow the comments.
“I do absolutely disavow his comments I think they’re wrong,” Ryan says but adds that “I’m going to be focusing on these ideas these solutions and not attempt to try and defend the indefensible.”
Ryan says he will still support Trump because his agenda is more likely to get enacted under Trump than Democrat Hillary Clinton.
Trump says U.S. District Judge Gonzalo Curiel cannot judge him fairly because he is of Mexican heritage and Trump plans to build a wall with Mexico.
___
7:30 a.m.
House minority leader Nancy Pelosi has endorsed Hillary Clinton for president. The California Democrat had held off on a formal endorsement but on Tuesday, the day her state holds its presidential primary, Pelosi announced her support for the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee.
Pelosi told ABC’s “Good Morning America” that “I’m a voter in California and I have voted for Hillary Clinton for president of the United States and proud to endorse her for that position.”
Pelosi told ABC she believes Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont, Clinton’s rival, will be a constructive force for 2016.
___
3:00 a.m.
History already in hand, Hillary Clinton will celebrate becoming the first woman to lead a major American political party following votes in California, New Jersey and four other states.
Clinton reached the 2,383 delegates needed to become the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee on the eve of Tuesday’s voting, according to an Associated Press tally.
Her total is comprised of pledged delegates won in primaries and caucuses, as well as superdelegates — the party officials and officeholders who can back a candidate of their choosing.
Clinton greeted news of her achievement with a measured response. She’s wary of depressing turnout in the impending contests and eager to save the revelry for a big victory party in Brooklyn.
Like BlackAmericaWeb.com on Facebook. Follow us on Twitter.
(Photo Source: AP)
