David Jackson

USA TODAY

Bernie Sanders easily won the Maine caucuses over Hillary Clinton on Sunday, a much-needed victory for the Vermont senator who continues to trail the Democratic front-runner in Democratic delegates overall.

The Maine Democratic Party counted ballots as the two candidates debated in Flint, Mich.

“I thank the people of Maine for their strong support," Sanders said in a written statement. "With another double-digit victory, we have now won by wide margins in states from New England to the Rocky Mountains and from the Midwest to the Great Plains. This weekend alone we won in Maine, Kansas and Nebraska."

Sanders added that "we now have the momentum to go all the way" to the Democratic convention in Philadelphia.

Sanders, who spent much more campaign time in Maine than Clinton, won contests in Kansas and Nebraska on Saturday, while Clinton won in Louisiana.

Sanders takes 2 caucuses, Clinton wins Louisiana primary

Polling stations in Maine reported big crowds on Sunday, and some voters took to social media to complain about long lines.

"I am sorry for what happened today," tweeted Portland Mayor Ethan Strimling in response to complaints. "Won't happen again on my watch."

Sanders, who hails from nearby Vermont, had predicted victory in Maine earlier in the day.

Maine will send 25 delegates to the Democratic convention and they will be awarded to candidates on a proportional basis.