Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump extended their leads over rivals in the presidential primary race on Super Tuesday, the first multi-state primary of the year.
“Last night I don’t think there were too many big surprises,” said Dr. Todd Collins, Public Policy Institute Director at Western Carolina University. “Trump was ahead in most of the states as we went into it, and Hillary Clinton on the Democratic side was ahead in most of the states as we went into it.”
Clinton expanded her lead over Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders thanks to wins in Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Massachusetts, Tennessee, Texas and Virginia.
Exit polls graph, Courtesy of NBC News
Clinton’s delegate count increased substantially due to support from minority voters throughout The South. Exit polls revealed Clinton garnered at least 75 percent of the African American vote in every Southern primary.
Sanders showed he still maintained support despite losing primaries throughout The South. Colorado, Minnesota, Oklahoma and Vermont all swung in his favor. However, the large margins by which he lost primaries held in the South indicated he has much ground to make up later in the race.
Trump won in Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Massachusetts, Tennessee, Texas, Vermont and Virginia. Despite having won the majority of states up for grabs, each of his wins failed to gain over 50 percent of the vote, leaving the door open for another candidate to usurp his lead.
Associate Professor and Director of Political Science and Public Affairs, Todd Collins, via wcu.edu
“Unlike the general election, it’s not a winner-take-all… even candidates that picked up percentages in most of these states were able to get some delegates,” said Collins. “We’ve seen times when, obviously Super Tuesday gives you a bump, but it doesn’t necessarily mean that you’ll come out the winner in the end.”
Texas Sen. Ted Cruz gained momentum with wins in Alaska, his home state of Texas and neighboring Oklahoma. During a speech made Tuesday night, Cruz urged other candidates to drop out of the race to encourage a unified party against Trump.
Marco Rubio performed worse than anticipated despite brandishing the support of the Republican establishment. His only win came in Minnesota.
Primary elections will continue until each party nominates a winner at their respective conventions in June.
The North Carolina primary will take place on March 15. The Jackson County Recreation Complex serves as the polling place for voters registered with Cullowhee addresses.
