Front-running contender Donald Trump believes the GOP presidential nomination is within his grasp — and declares a general election win in his very-blue native New York would seal the deal for his White House bid.
"If I win New York," the 69-year-old GOP front-runner tells
The Hill, the election "is over."
In an interview with the news outlet, the unconventional candidate declares he's got a
"real good shot" at the Empire State in the general election, which hasn't been won by a Republican nominee since 1984.
"This is my place," Trump tells The Hill. "I love New York."
Besides a win in New York — where Democratic presidential rival Hillary Clinton lives and which she represented as a U.S. senator — the real estate billionaire also predicts he'll take Pennsylvania and "will expand the map."
And he asserts establishment Republicans will rally behind a Trump candidacy when he begins piling up primary wins and delegates.
"They will like me," he said.
Trump tells The Hill his business history is what stokes his confidence.
"I've been a closer all my life," he says. "It's what I do — I win. Other people don't win. I know more about winning than anyone."
"I close," he added. "Other people don't close."