Donald Trump is presumptive Republican nominee after Ted Cruz suspends campaign

Donald Trump has been named the presumptive Republican presidential nominee after closest rival Tez Cruz suspended his campaign.

Texas Senator Cruz, who had billed himself as the only viable alternative to Trump, took the step after a stinging defeat in Indiana's Republican primary.

"It appears that path has been foreclosed," Cruz told supporters in Indianapolis.

"Together, we left it all on the field of Indiana. We gave it everything we've got, but the voters chose another path, and so with a heavy heart but with boundless optimism for the long-term future of our nation, we are suspending our campaign."

Victory: Donald Trump
Getty

Cruz had already been mathematically eliminated from clinching the delegate majority in the state-by-state primary process, but had hoped to force a contested national convention in July.

Should he have secured victory, 45-year-old Cruz would have been the first US president of Hispanic descent, although he often downplayed his heritage on the campaign trail, instead calling for tougher immigration laws and a border wall along the border with Mexico.

Cruz worked on George W Bush's 2000 campaign and went on to serve five years as the top attorney for the state of Texas, arguing nine cases before the U.S. Supreme Court.

Rival: Republican Ted Cruz has quit the race 
AP

However, he could not compete with Trump's appeal among white, working class voters who were drawn to the billionaire's outlandish approach to politics.

The race between the two front runners had become deeply acrimonious, with Trump nicknaming Cruz "Lyin' Ted," and derided him as "unstable," "crazy," "a maniac" and "sick."

Trump also questioned whether Cruz's birth in Canada disqualified him to run for president, frequently threatening to sue him over the issue.

However, Trump was gracious in victory over his nearest rival, apparently surprised by his decision to drop out of the race.

"Ted Cruz, I don’t know if he likes me or doesn’t like me, but he is one hell of a competitor," he said. "He is a tough, smart guy. And he has got an amazing future."

Meanwhile Vermont senator Bernie Sanders scored a victory over Hillary Clinton in Indiana, but the outcome will not slow the former US secretary of state's march to the Democratic nomination.

Heading into Tuesday's voting, Mrs Clinton had 92 per cent of the delegates she needed.

Mrs Clinton and Mr Trump now plunge into a six-month battle for the presidency, with the future of America's immigration laws, health care system and military posture around the world at stake.

Mr Sanders said he had won a "great upset victory" in Indiana and expected "more victories in the weeks to come".

"The Clinton campaign thinks this campaign is over. They're wrong," he said.

Mr Sanders said he had an "uphill climb" to the nomination but was "in this campaign to win and we are going to fight until the last vote is cast".

While Mrs Clinton heads into the general election with significant advantages with minority voters and women, Democrats have vowed to not underestimate Mr Trump - as his Republican rivals did for too long.

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