Trump wins again, Sanders stuns Clinton
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Donald Trump’s march to the Republican Party’s presidential nomination remains on track with the New York property developer and reality TV star winning important primaries in Michigan and Mississippi.
In the Michigan count Mr Trump tallied 37 per cent, well ahead of Ohio Governor John Kasich and Texas senator Ted Cruz, who each garnered 24 per cent.
Mr Trump also beat Mr Cruz – his main rival in the Republican race – in Mississippi by 48 per cent to 36 per cent.
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However, Mr Cruz was able to beat Mr Trump in the Idaho primary with 43 per cent of the vote.
In the Democratic Party contests, frontrunner Hillary Clinton recorded a thumping win in Mississippi, but she was pipped in Michigan where her only rival Bernie Sanders won slightly more than 50 per cent of the vote.
However, Mrs Clinton picked up the lion’s share of delegates available in both states and now has 1215 delegates pledged to support her bid for the nomination.
That is more than half the number required to enter the presidential race as the Democrat nominee.
Mr Sanders has 544 delegates.
While the Michigan result indicates that support for Mr Trump has stabilised within the Republican party, it might also prove a turning point for other contenders after the collapse in support for Florida senator Marco Rubio.
Mr Rubio finished a distant last in the Michigan primary with only 9 per cent of the vote.
His descent coincided with a sharp rise in support for Mr Kasich who is expected to figure prominently in upcoming races in big states such as Illinois, Wisconsin, New York, California and his home state of Ohio.
Mr Kasich’s sober style and moderate policy positions are expected to garner support from traditional Republican members in these states who are increasingly worried that Mr Trump’s elevation could derail the party’s bid to reclaim the White House.