AP declares Cruz mathematically eliminated from first-ballot delegate race

Republican presidential hopeful Ted Cruz is mathematically eliminated from winning the GOP nomination on the first ballot, according to The Associated Press.

GOP front-runner Donald Trump is now the only candidate who can clinch the nomination before the Republican National Convention in July, as there aren’t enough remaining delegates for either Cruz or John Kasich to reach the 1,237 threshold.

{mosads}Cruz was shut out from winning any delegates in Tuesday’s New York primary, while Trump won at least 89 of the 95 delegates at stake and Kasich won three, according to the AP.

Cruz acknowledged Wednesday that a contested convention is his only path to the GOP nomination.

“We are headed to a contested convention at this point. Nobody is getting 1,237,” Cruz said in an interview with Philadelphia radio host Chris Stigall. “Donald is going to talk all the time about other folks not getting 1,237. He’s not getting there either. Neither of us are getting the 1,237.”

He added that he expects a “battle in Cleveland” for the nomination.

“I’m going to have a ton of delegates,” Cruz said. “Donald is going to have a ton of delegates, and it’s going to be a battle in Cleveland to see who can earn the majority of delegates who have been elected by the people.”

Trump has 845 delegates, with Cruz at 559 and Kasich with 147, according to the AP delegate tracker.