John Kerry Victorious in Maine Caucuses

[Freddie Stubbs]

By JONATHAN D. SALANT, Associated Press Writer

John Kerry (news - web sites) coasted to victory in the Maine caucuses Sunday, wrapping up a three-state weekend sweep that pushed the Democratic front-runner closer to the party nomination than any of his vanquished rivals.

Howard Dean (news - web sites), who campaigned in Maine Sunday, finished a distant second in yet another disappointment for the one-time front-runner, and Rep. Dennis Kucinich (news - web sites) of Ohio was third in one of his better showings of the primary season.

The Massachusetts senator tacked the Maine win onto resounding victories in Michigan and Washington state on Saturday for a record of 10 wins in 12 contests and, more important, a substantial chunk of the delegates needed to secure the nomination.

With 40 percent of the statewide vote, Kerry had 46 percent, Dean 26 percent and Kucinich 13 percent. John Edwards (news - web sites) and Wesley Clark (news - web sites), who had focused on other states, had 9 percent and 4 percent.

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