Indiana’s Lugar loses; Romney wins 3 primaries

North Carolina – U.S. Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney has swept primary elections in three more states, moving him even closer to becoming the nominee to run against President Barack Obama in November.

Romney now has more than 900 delegates, after wins Tuesday in Indiana, North Carolina and West Virginia. The former Massachusetts governor needs 1,144 delegates to clinch his party’s nomination and earn the chance to face the Democratic incumbent.

In the Indiana primary, Republican U.S. Senator Richard Lugar lost his bid to run for re-election in the state he has represented for more than three decades. The 80-year-old incumbent was defeated in a tough battle against a candidate backed by the Tea Party movement, which supports smaller government and less taxes.

In a statement, President Obama recognized Senator Lugar for his distinguished service and praised his work across party lines and in efforts to secure the world’s most dangerous weapons. President Obama said the senator