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Trump Wins GOP Caucus In Kentucky

(AP Photo/John Bazemore)

Donald Trump has continued his march through the South, taking the top spot in a Kentucky Republican caucus that was meant to benefit U.S. Sen. Rand Paul.

Trump led Ted Cruz, Marco Rubio and John Kasich statewide Saturday and narrowly edged out Cruz to claim victory in Louisville, the state's largest city, where he drew thousands at a rally earlier in the week. Anyone who earns at least 5 percent of the vote will be awarded delegates under state party rules. Trump was one of two candidates who campaigned in Kentucky.

Trump and Cruz claimed the top two spots in each of the counties reporting. Trump swept the state's eastern coalfield counties. Cruz won in pockets of western Kentucky and the Cincinnati suburbs in the northern part of the state. He also edged out Trump in Lexington, the state's second-largest city.

Kentucky's caucus was supposed to be a homecoming for Paul, allowing him to run for president and re-election at the same time without violating state law. But Paul dropped out of the race after the Iowa caucuses.

Kentucky's Democratic presidential primary is scheduled for May 17.