Independent U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders has won Vermont's Democratic Senate primary but is expected to turn down the nomination and support the state's Democratic candidates, as is his practice.
In Tuesday's balloting, Sanders defeated little-known candidate Folasade Adeluola, who says she believes Vermont needs a full-time senator.
Sanders is thought to be considering a presidential run in 2020. He already is on Vermont's November ballot as an independent.
Under Vermont law he cannot appear on the November ballot as both a Democrat and an independent.
In his U.S. Senate races, in 2012 and 2006 he declined the nomination but accepted the formal endorsement of the state's Democratic Party.
Four little-known candidates were seeking the Republican U.S. Senate nomination.
