PROVIDENCE, R.I. — Bernie Sanders has won the Democratic presidential primary in Rhode Island.

The victory was an upset over rival Hillary Clinton who historically has had strong support in the state.

Clinton won endorsements from the state's Democratic establishment and handily beat Barack Obama in the last contested Democratic primary in 2008.

But Sanders drew thousands of supporters when he spoke at a Providence park Sunday, a day after Clinton held a more intimate event in Central Falls.

Election officials reported heavy turnout in several liberal strongholds.

Democrat turnout was so high on Block Island that a ferry had to ship extra Democratic ballots to the remote community Tuesday evening.

Up for grabs were 24 of the state's 33 Democratic delegates. The other nine are super-delegates, all of whom have said they are supporting Clinton.