Super Tuesday Results: Hillary Clinton, Donald Trump Win Big in Georgia

Photos by Gage Skidmore via Flickr / Creative Commons

Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump won the Democratic and Republican primaries, respectively, in Georgia's delegate-rich Super Tuesday.

Major networks were projecting Clinton and Trump as the winners shortly after polls closed at 7 pm, reflecting the large leads the candidates' enjoyed over their rivals. CNN projected Clinton the winner at 7:01 pm.

Clinton held as much as a 40-point lead solid lead over U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont in a Real Clear Politics poll leading up to the primary, while Trump had a 20-percent lead over U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio of Florida.

Trump spent more than $886,000 in TVs ads that aired in Georgia and five other states on Tuesday, including $170,000 in ads on metro Atlanta airwaves.

The Peach State had been the focus of both parties’ leading contenders leading up to Super Tuesday. Rubio and fellow Republican contender U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz made campaign stops in Atlanta the weekend before, while Clinton made a visit to the city after a decisive victory in South Carolina’s primary.

Trump himself was in Valdosta the day before the primary, while Rubio was in Atlanta at the same time.

Sanders followed up on his New Hampshire primary victory with a rally in southwest Atlanta, which was attended by about 5,000 students. But Sanders was unable to make a dent in Clinton's strong support among black voters to mount a serious challenge to the former Secretary of State. Clinton enjoys support from some of Georgia's most influential black leaders, including Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed.

Georgia was part of the historic SEC primary. The Peach State, along with Alabama, Arkansas, Tennessee, Texas and Virginia, held their primaries on the same day in an effort led by Georgia Secretary of State Brian Kemp to give the South a greater say-so in choosing both parties’ White House candidates.

The biggest delegate grab in Georgia's primary came on the GOP side, where 76 delegates were available, second only to the 155 in Cruz's home state of Texas.

Voter turnout was steady in Georgia throughout the day, with few problems reported among precincts. One polling place in Rockdale County was moved because of a possible nonovirus outbreak, according to the AJC.

Patch is your leading source for local news and information regarding this year’s historic presidential election. Check out some of our previous coverage, and stay with your local Patch for the latest in political news throughout our communities.

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