VOL. 01 NO. 59 | APRIL 6, 2016 | COLORADOSTATESMAN.COM/THE-HOT-SHEET | © 2016

SAVE THE DATE: The Colorado Statesman cordially invites you to an “End-of-Session Bash,” Thursday, May 12, 4:30 – 6:30 pm at The University Club, 1673 Sherman St., Denver. More information coming soon.

By TCS Publisher and Editor in Chief Jared Wright @_JaredWright_

DENVER — Good morning, Happy Wednesday … you’re half way there. It’s very happy Wednesday for Ted Cruz who will be coming to Colorado this weekend with a big, badger smile and an extra notch on his belt out of Wisconsin.

Two takeaways from yesterday: (1) PRESIDENT: While Donald Trump is polling way ahead of Cruz in New York for the candidates’ next contest April 19, the likelihood Trump gets the needed 1,237 delegates ahead of the July national convention to secure the nomination is a becoming a bigger and bigger long shot. If he doesn’t make the first ballot, it spells a likely return home to New York for the candidate. Trump needs 64 percent of the outstanding pledged delegates, according to the Washington Post, in order to reach the magic 1,237. Similarly, Bernie Sanders needs to win over 56 percent of the remaining delegates — 988 — to come out with the majority. Both men are beginning to flounder a bit in the deep, dark waters of presidential primary math.

(2) SENATE: Conservative U.S. Senate candidate Tim Neville was all smiles in last night’s 9News Senate debate for a reason. Two of his opponents may have shot themselves in the foot just ahead of the state assembly. In a first signal the huge field of candidates for the state GOP’s Senate nominee will begin to narrow soon, candidate Peg Littleton blasted a great big …

To continue reading the full Hot Sheet, click here …