Republican voters in Delaware did their part to push Donald Trump closer to the GOP presidential nomination, part of 5 state sweep for the Republican front runner.
Trump garnered nearly 61 percent of the vote in the First State, compared to 20 percent for Ohio Gov. John Kaisch and just under 16 percent for Texas Sen. Ted Cruz. And the New York businessman won each of the state’s three counties handily.
Trump’s unofficial 41-point margin of victory in the First State is hardly a surprise. The only poll of Delaware ahead of Tuesday’s voting had the front runner holding a 37-point margin.
And the New York businessman was the only Republican candidate to campaign in Delaware, holding a rally at the State Fairgrounds in Harrington last Friday.
Trump volunteer Hunter Dworsky says he never had a doubt.
"Not surprised. I knew going in this was going to be an easy win," said Dworsky. "Delaware is very liberal and I think people are tired of the Joe Bidens and the Tom Carpers and I think they are ready for change. And Delaware wound up being great for Donald J. Trump.
State party chair Charlie Copeland says it seems that Kaisch and Cruz conceded the state to Trump when his strength here became apparent.
"Delaware being a winner-take-all state actually disenfranchises the other candidates from coming here, because if you look at the polls and you know your down 20 points, you know even if I come there I’m not going to make up 20 points. And for 16 delegates, it’s really not worth it," said Copeland.
Trump’s victories Tuesday night, including all 16 delegates here winner-take-all Delaware push him closer to locking up the nomination before the national convention in Cleveland this summer.
Copeland says the momentum is moving in Trump’s direction.
"I think that he is starting to coalesce," said Copeland. "I think he’s recognized that there are two things you’ve got to do here. You’ve got to win the populace, but you also have to and win the machinery. And I think he’s putting the pieces on place to do both those things."
The Delaware GOP will officially select its slate of delegates to the national convention at its state convention this weekend. Those delegates will be bound to Trump on the first ballot at the convention – but if there were to be a second they could vote however they feel – a situation that seems less likely after Tuesday’s results.
