WASHINGTON, Feb. 17 (Xinhuanet) -- US Democratic front-runner John Kerry was projected by major television networks as the winner Tuesday in a key presidential primary.

    CNN, ABC, Fox and MSNBC projected that Kerry, a senator from Massachusetts, defeated North Carolina Senator John Edwards and former Vermont governor Howard Dean in a close race.

    Kerry's victory, his 15th in 17 contests so far, would put pressure on Dean to quit the race and raise question over Edwards' claim that he could compete with Kerry nationally. Edwards has won only his neighboring state of South Carolina. Enditem