CLEVELAND (WKZO-AM) — While “Mega Tuesday” lifted the fortunes of one Republican candidate, it’s ended the campaign of Sen. Marco Rubio, who got thumped in his home state of Florida.
The departure of Rubio leaves Ohio Gov. John Kasich as the only establishment Republican left standing. Kasich won his home state on Tuesday, beating billionaire Donald Trump by about 11 percent.
Donald Trump came away with more delegates, but the loss in Ohio makes it somewhat tougher for him to get enough delegates to avoid a brokered Republican National Convention. Dr. John Clark, a professor of political science at Western Michigan University, said it may be anyone’s guess what will happen if none of the candidates come into Cleveland with a clear majority.
It was a better night for Hillary Clinton, who won Florida, Illinois, North Carolina and Ohio. She essentially tied Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders in Missouri. Whatever momentum Sanders picked up with his surprise win in Michigan has apparently been dissipated.
Clark said the Clinton campaign went back to defending their left flank and that seemed to make the difference. He said her decision to pivot to the national race and focus on Trump may have cost her Michigan.
