Sanders' Democratic rivals seek to slow his momentum after his big win in Nevada caucuses

Democratic U.S. presidential candidate Senator Bernie Sanders takes the stage with U.S. Representative Jesus Garcia (D-IL) at a campaign rally in Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S., February 21, 2020. REUTERS/Mike Segar

NORTH CHARLESTON, S.C. (Reuters) - As Bernie Sanders looked to cement his front-runner status in the U.S. Democratic presidential race after his dominant win in Nevada, his rivals sought in rallies on Sunday to blunt his momentum ahead of 15 nominating contests in the next 10 days.

Sanders, an independent senator from Vermont and self-avowed democratic socialist, rode a wave of support across age, race and ideology to capture 47% of the county convention delegates in the Nevada caucuses, with 88% of precincts reporting.