Presidential primaries took center stage, but four states held general primaries and one conducted a gubernatorial primary, all with implications for November.
Immigration, abortion, Gaza, taxes, the economy, President Joe Biden’s age, President Donald Trump’s trials—voters had a lot on their minds as they cast primary election ballots on Super Tuesday, the nation’s biggest day for voting outside the general election.
Voters in 15 states took to the polls on March 5 to select candidates for November’s presidential election. Voters in California, Texas, North Carolina, and Alabama cast nominating ballots for key House and Senate races, and voters in North Carolina selected nominees for a gubernatorial contest.
While the presidential primary drew the most attention, our reporters on the ground in more than 10 states monitored races that could affect the balance of power in Congress and explored the implications of the day’s results for the November election and beyond.
Here’s what you need to know about Super Tuesday’s results.
Nomination Nearly in Reach for Trump
Before Super Tuesday, President Trump had won every caucus and primary except for the one in Washington, D.C.
The former president dominated 14 of the 15 Super Tuesday contests against Nikki Haley, with the former South Carolina governor winning Vermont.
Analysts continue to work through the complicated state party rules for the allocation of delegates, but the overall picture is clear. President Trump is fast closing in on the 1,215 delegates needed to clinch the nomination.
Speaking to supporters at Mar-a-Lago, the former president said the pundits have called the day’s series of landslide victories “conclusive.” He went on to call for unity in the Republican Party without directly calling for Ms. Haley to exit the race.
President Trump could secure the delegates needed for nomination as early as March 12.
More Protest Votes Against Biden
Like Michigan, protest votes were cast in multiple states against President Biden during the Super Tuesday for his handling of the Hamas-Israel war.
According to early results, over 19 percent of Minnesota voters chose “uncommitted” in the Democratic primary.
Protest votes were also recorded in other states: Alabama (6 percent), Colorado (7.6 percent), Iowa (3.9 percent), Massachusetts (9.2 percent), North Carolina (12.7 percent), and Tennessee (7.9 percent).
The behavior of these protest voters in the general election remains uncertain. While some individuals plan to stay home, others have expressed their intention to vote for President Trump.
Despite winning all 15 Super Tuesday states, President Biden was unexpectedly defeated by Jason Palmer, a little-known presidential candidate, in the Democratic caucuses in American Samoa, a territory that cannot participate in the general election.
By Lawrence Wilson, Nathan Worcester, Janice Hisle, Emel Akan, Sam Dorman, Darlene McCormick Sanchez, Austin Alonzo, Joseph Lord
