Politics & Government
Virginia Republican Primary 2016 Live Results: Trump Wins, But Rubio Strong 2nd
Trump and Rubio were competing as votes came in for the Republican 2016 Presidential Primary, but projected winner announced.
Super Tuesday results in other states may speak to Donald Trump's strength in the primary, but the story in Virginia is a close finish offered by Sen. Marco Rubio of Florida.
Media outlets have projected Trump will win Virginia's 2016 Republican Presidential Primary.
With 99 percent reporting, Rubio had nearly 31.97 percent of the votes in the state, compared to Trump's 34.84 percent. Candidates also include Sen. Tec Cruz, Ohio Gov. John Kasich and Dr. Ben Carson.
Rubio was showing his strength in the Washington D.C. suburbs, where swing voters frequently decide competitive statewide races. And he kept the race close in urban areas, including Richmond and Norfolk.
But Trump far outmatched the senator in much of the rest of the state, including rural areas in the western end of the state and the working-class communities around those metro centers.
Scroll down to see a chart with the latest numbers. And check back here for results as they come in.
Also see: VA 2016 Democratic Presidential Primary Results
Names on the primary ballot include many people not in the running for the presidency. Several high-profile candidates have suspended their campaigns since ballots were printed.
A competitive race in Virginia can be a win for Rubio, political analyst Geoff Skelley tells WTOP.
“Virginia presents Rubio with an opportunity,” Skelley said before polls closed. If Rubio does well in Virginia, “it gives him something to talk about, which could then boost him.”
In a statement Tuesday night, Republican Party of Virginia Chairman John Whitbeck celebrated more than 1 million GOP votes — a primary record.
"The enthusiasm for the GOP in Virginia is overshadowing the Democrats here and across the Country," he said.
The delegate distribution, as of 10:30 p.m.:
- Donald Trump 17 delegates
- Marco Rubio 16 delegates
- Ted Cruz 8 delegates
- John Kasich 5 delegates
- Ben Carson 3 delegates
» Photos by Gage Skidmore via Flickr / Creative Commons
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