(JTA) – Bernie Sanders made history Tuesday night when he became the first Jewish candidate in U.S. history to win a presidential primary election.
With more than 90 percent of precincts reporting, the Independent senator from Vermont trounced former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton in the Democratic primary 60-38 percent.
Sanders, a secular Jew and self-described democratic socialist who has made economic inequality in America the centerpiece of his campaign, had been the favorite to win in New Hampshire, and in last week’s Iowa caucuses he nearly tied Clinton. But Sanders is expected to face uphill contests against Clinton in contests later this month in Nevada and South Carolina.
READ: Did Bernie Sanders just steal Joe Lieberman’s Jewish crown?
On the Republican side, New York businessman and TV celebrity Donald Trump scored a decisive victory over his rivals, capturing 35 percent of the vote. The second-place finisher was Ohio Gov. John Kasich, with 16 percent of the vote. Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas finished third with 11.6 percent, edging out former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush, who finished with 11.1 percent. Sen. Marco Rubio of Florida came in fifth, with 10.5 percent.
Though New Hampshire is home to just 1.3 million Americans, the state holds the nation’s first primary and long has been a decisive early proving ground for presidential candidates.
An estimated 10,000 Jews live in New Hampshire.
READ: Who are the Jews of New Hampshire?
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