Super Tuesday III brought more victories to Donald Trump as Republicans saw the hard-hitting business tycoon widen his lead in the nomination race that also ousted the GOP establishment hope Marco Rubio, while Democrat contests thrust Hillary Clinton as dominant preference over Bernie Sanders.
Trump scored victories in the winner-take-all Florida (99 delegates), Illinois (69 delegates), North Carolina (72 delegates) and Missouri (52 delegates) while Governor John Kasich won in his home state of Ohio (66 delegates). Senator Rubio, who had pinned hopes in his home state of Florida, suspended his campaign, while Senator Ted Cruz also could not challenge Trump’s stretch of wins.
The billionaire businessman’s continuing run of victories is widely seen a result of a widespread anger against the Republican Party establishment, feeling of economic insecurity, perception that America is headed in a wrong direction and hyped up fear of the Muslims and Mexicans.
Marking his victories, Trump claimed that he is attracting more people into the Republican fold and that he would bring the party together.
“The fact is we have to bring our party together,” Trump said at a Press Conference in Palm Beach, Florida.
The candidate staking Republican nomination for November 8 presidential election is required to win 1237 delegates.
Republicans must now contend with the reality – nomination of Trump, who now has 619 delegates or a contested convention in July with a three-way fight involving Senator Marco Rubio (394 delegates) and Ohio Governor John Kasich (136 delegates).
After the exit of Rubio, who was widely believed to be a Republican establishment favorite and young hopeful voice of moderation for the fractured Party, Kasich appears to be the candidate that may garner Republican leaders’ support.
As for Cruz, many political analysts say, since he too is exploiting anger among a particular group of Americans and espouses policies on the extreme end, he may not be able to find favors with the Republican leadership.
Anyway, the GOP is in for a tough task ahead.
On the Democratic side, Clinton came out victorious against Vermont Senator Sanders, who had challenged her last week with a spirited campaign and a stunning win in Michigan.
The former first lady and secretary of state won in crucial states of Florida, Illinois, North Carolina and Ohio, while Sanders led in Missouri with 98 % of vote counted.
“We are moving closer to securing the Democratic Party nomination and winning this election in November,” Hillary Clinton said in West Palm Beach, Florida.
Clinton is now in a commanding position to win the nomination race with 1,488 delegates including 1,021 pledged and 467 super delegates. Sanders trails far behind, halfway with a total of 704 delegates including 678 pledged and 26 super delegates.
A candidate must have support of 2,383 candidates to win the Democratic nomination.
“We are going to stand up for American workers and make sure no one takes advantage of us, not China, not Wall Street, not overpaid corporate executives,” Clinton said in an attempt to offset Sander’s appeal.
The remark by Clinton, who has recently ratcheted up attacks against Trump and accused him of stoking hate and fear during the campaign, may also be directed at the Republican frontrunner.
