WASHINGTON: Ahead of the crucial March 15 Super Tuesday nominating contests, Republican Marco Rubio and Democrat BernieSanders notched a victory each in Puerto Rico and Maine respectively to keep the US presidential race competitive.

For Florida Senator Rubio his second victory on Sunday in the Republican race, that has been dominated by real estate Donald Trump and Texas Senator Ted Cruz, provides him a rationale to stay in the race.

Establishment favourite Rubio, who has been endorsed by South Carolina's Indian-American governor Nikki Haley and Louisiana's former Indian-American governor Bobby Jindal, is now counting on winning his home state Florida on Super Tuesday.

But Trump who has won 12 of the first 19 contests is leading Rubio by double digits in the 99-delegate, winner-take-all primary in Florida on March 15.

Cruz too has gained some momentum with six wins including two on Saturday, while Ohio Governor John Kasich, whose state also holds a winner-take-all primary on March 15, is still seeking his first win.

On the Democratic side Sanders' victory in Maine caucuses was his third of the weekend after winning Kansas and Nebraska, though Clinton won in Louisiana.

Meanwhile, during a Democratic debate on Sunday on CNN in Flint, Michigan, Clinton and Bernie Sanders angrily clashed over auto industry bailouts, guns and ties to Wall Street.

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Source: IANS