Washington (AFP) – Senator Bernie Sanders has won Tuesday’s Democratic primary in West Virginia, US networks projected, bolstering his argument for staying in the presidential race despite rival Hillary Clinton substantial lead in delegates.

Sanders, a US senator from Vermont, was ahead with 48 percent of the vote compared to 43 percent for the former secretary of state, with 16 percent of precincts reporting, according to CBS News.

Donald Trump, the presumptive Republican presidential nominee, easily won his party’s West Virginia primary.