Bernie Sanders soundly defeated Hillary Clinton in Alaska's Democratic caucuses on Saturday, giving his campaign a much-needed boost as he seeks to disrupt Clinton's path to the party's presidential nomination.
Television networks gave Sanders nearly 79 percent against 21 percent for Clinton in the western state where 16 delegates are up for grabs.
The Vermont senator also appeared poised to make a crucial win in the state of Washington where 101 delegates are at stake.
Caucuses were also being held on Saturday in Hawaii, where 25 delegates will be allocated.
Democratic presidential candidate Bernie Sanders speaks during a rally at Safeco Field in Seattle Friday
Most of his dozen primary-season wins have been in states with largely white populations and in caucus contests, which tend to attract the most active liberal Democrats. He's heavily favored by younger voters, who were a key part of the coalition that boosted Obama to victory twice.
In Spokane, Washington, a huge line of caucus attendees snaked around a high school parking lot on Saturday morning.
'I think one of the biggest things is free tuition for students,' said Savannah Dills, 24, a college student who supports Sanders. 'And getting big money out of politics. He's not paid for by billionaires.'
Retiree Dan McLay, 64, attended the caucus in a hard-hat, which he joked he needed because he was one of the relatively few Clinton supporters in the big crowd
'Look at this thing in Brussels,' McLay said, referring to the deadly bombings. 'We need a real experienced leader.'
For Sanders, turning passionate support into the party nomination has grown increasingly difficult.
But on Friday, Bernie's Portland rally took on a comical tone when a little bird landed on his lectern mid-speech.
Sanders, apparently noticing the bird nearby, said: 'Now you see, this little bird doesn't know it.'
The Democratic candidate appeared shocked then smiled - and the audience of more than 10,000 went wild - when the tiny bird joined Sanders at the podium on Friday.
The bird soon flew off and the audience cheered.
Without losing a beat, the Vermont senator said even though it didn't look like a dove, it must have been one that came to ask for world peace.
He said: 'I think there may be some symbolism here.
'I know it doesn't look like it, but that bird is really a dove asking us for world peace.'
The audience erupted in cheers, then Sanders continued: 'No more wars.'
The phrase 'put a bird on it' is a line that was used in the TV show Portlandia as a reflection of the city's quirky ways.
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