Front-runners hope for big gains in pivotal New York contest

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• HARI SREENIVASAN:

  A few hours from now, they will be counting the votes in New York's presidential primary, and for the first time in many years, the results could be critical.

  Both front-runners lost momentum after a series of defeats in recent weeks, but convincing victories in New York could change all that. For Republican Donald Trump, winning big tonight might help avoid a contested GOP Convention this summer. For Hillary Clinton, a good night would boost her already big lead in delegates for the Democratic nomination.

  Still, there's no sign their rivals plan to drop out, regardless of what happens tonight. So the candidates kept at it today, even as New Yorkers headed into voting booths to make their choice.

• WOMAN:

  Who are you voting for?

  DONALD TRUMP (R), Republican Presidential Candidate: Easy decision.

• HARI SREENIVASAN:

  Donald Trump casting his New York primary ballot this morning in Midtown Manhattan, a few blocks from his namesake tower.

• DONALD TRUMP:

  New York is a special place.

• HARI SREENIVASAN:

  But the Republican front-runner also had to address the churning within his political team, including new roles for veteran political operatives brought in as advisers and the resignation of a top aide in reaction. He acknowledged the shakeup during a phone interview this morning with FOX News.

• DONALD TRUMP:

  So, when you bring other people in, I could see some people, their feelings get a little bit hurt. Frankly, you know, we're in a position where we would like to see if we can close it out.

• HARI SREENIVASAN:

  Meanwhile, Trump's closest rival, Texas Senator Ted Cruz, turned his attention to next week's contests, with a stop in Philadelphia this evening. So too with John Kasich. He's in Maryland tonight, after an earlier stop in Pittsburgh.

  The two Democratic contenders started their days in New York state. Hillary Clinton voted in the town she now calls home, Chappaqua. Later, she made a quick trip to Washington to court labor.

  HILLARY CLINTON (D), Democratic Presidential Candidate: And here's my promise to you. If I'm fortunate enough to become your president, organized labor will always have a champion in the White House.

  (CHEERING AND APPLAUSE)

• HARI SREENIVASAN:

  Her rival, Bernie Sanders, began with a morning stroll near New York City's Times Square. This afternoon, he made his pivot to Pennsylvania, stopping in Erie.

  SEN. BERNIE SANDERS (VT-I), Democratic Presidential Candidate: Let us see Pennsylvania have the largest voter turnout of the history of their primaries. And let's see the great state of Pennsylvania lead this country into the political revolution.

  (CHEERING AND APPLAUSE)

• HARI SREENIVASAN:

  Pennsylvania figures to be the keystone of next Tuesday's contests, with 71 Republican delegates and 210 on the Democratic side.

  We will take a detailed look at today's New York primary and what lies ahead later in the program.