Obama wins N.C, Clinton leads in Indiana

WASHINGTON — Barack Obama won North Carolina’s primary Tuesday while Hillary Clinton clung late in the evening to a narrow lead in Indiana — a possible split decision likely to mean that the lengthy race for the Democratic presidential nomination could plod on through the summer.

In North Carolina, with 82 percent of precincts reporting, Obama had 57 percent to Clinton’s 43 percent.

Clinton led the Illinois senator in Indiana, 52 to 48 percent, with 85 percent of precincts reporting. But results from Lake County, which borders Obama’s home state of Illinois and includes the predominantly black city of Gary, hadn’t been tallied as of 10:45 p.m. EDT. Officials there were counting absentee ballots first and said they wouldn’t release any results until that process was finished.

Obama, still ahead in the convention delegate race, celebrated his North Carolina victory — and prematurely congratulated Clinton on winning Indiana — by trying to heal his fractured party.

“Tonight,” Obama said, “many of the pundits have suggested that this party is inalterably divided — that Senator Clinton’s supporters will not support me, and that my supporters will not support her. Well, I’m here tonight to tell you that I don’t believe it.”

Stay tuned for updates on the race as more results are tallied.