March 28, 2024

Marco Rubio wins Puerto Rico primary, CNN projects

2016-03-06t043243z224597366gf10000335218rtrmadp3usa-election-rubioFlorida Sen. Marco Rubio will win the Republican primary in Puerto Rico, CNN projects, picking up his second contest in a campaign that has been dominated by Donald Trump and Texas Sen. Ted Cruz.

With nearly three-fourths of all votes on the island, according to early results, Rubio could top the 50% threshold required to win all 23 of Puerto Rico’s delegates.

The dominant issue facing the island commonwealth — which has no electoral votes in the U.S. general election — is a public debt crisis, with the government owing $73 billion.

What Puerto Rico results could mean

Puerto Rico’s results are particularly key for Rubio, who campaigned there Saturday.

But that stop wasn’t just about Puerto Rico: Rubio’s campaign now largely hinges on taking first place in Florida’s March 15 99-delegate, winner-take-all primary — and the state’s Puerto Rican population could help there.

Rubio is trying to prevent Trump and Cruz from running away with the race. Through the first 19 contests, Trump has won 12 states and Cruz six — including two each on Saturday. Rubio, meanwhile, has only won Minnesota. And Ohio Gov. John Kasich, whose state also holds a winner-take-all primary on March 15, is still seeking his first win.

Source: CNN

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