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West Michigan Primary reaction

www.history.com

In tight races the Michigan Primary winners were Democrat Bernie Sanders and Republican Donald Trump.  WGVU spoke with West Michigan voters and lawmakers for reaction and some analysis.

“It looks like the donkey and the elephant are very unhappy today.”

That’s Thomas Ojeda attending the Kent County GOP Primary Watch Party explain how the party establishments took a beating in Michigan. Ojeda leaning Donald Trump.

“Well he spoke out against China. Normally no one likes to speak out against China because they’re a growing economic power. But he’s not afraid of anybody. He’s not afraid of China, he’s not afraid of Mexico, he’s not even afraid of the Pope.”

Trump receiving roughly 37 percent of the vote to Ted Cruz’s 25 percent and Ohio Governor John Kasich coming in a strong 3rd place with 24 percent of the vote. Lieutenant Governor Brian Calley says that bodes well for Kasich entering into next Tuesday’s primary and the beginning of winner take all states.

“And that really I think is going to change the conversation. The media has treated it like it’s a three way competition over the course of the last several weeks. I think it’ll still be a three way competition but really that three way will include in John Kasich.”

That’s assuming Florida Governor Marco Rubio drops out. U.S. Representative Bill Huizenga of Zeeland endorsed Rubio says his candidate will stay in the race to the end.

“Tough night here in Michigan, no doubt, but this is a national delegate count campaign and I don’t suspect any of the four are going to be going anywhere before the national convention.”

The potential there for denying frontrunner Donald Trump the 1,237 delegates necessary to win the nomination.

Delegates in Michigan nearly evenly split between democratic candidates Tuesday night. Bernie Sanders winning 50 percent of the vote to Hillary Clinton’s 48 percent.

“I think he’s a great voice for Middle America.”

That’s Sanders supporter Amanda Brunzell from Grand Rapids.

“I believe all Americans should be treated the same. I think our tax system is out of whack right now and I believe in taxing big corporations that don’t pay any taxes right now.”

Brunzell was attending House Democrat David LaGrand’s victory party along with Hillary Clinton supporter, Callie Melton.

“I voted for her because of her experience, her confidence. She was Secretary of State and also a Senator in the state of New York and that kind of experience is really unparalleled.”

Exceptional. Incomparable. The 2016 race for the White House will no doubt be called many things when it’s all said and done.

Patrick Center, WGVU News.   

Patrick joined WGVU Public Media in December, 2008 after eight years of investigative reporting at Grand Rapids' WOOD-TV8 and three years at WYTV News Channel 33 in Youngstown, Ohio. As News and Public Affairs Director, Patrick manages our daily radio news operation and public interest television programming. An award-winning reporter, Patrick has won multiple Michigan Associated Press Best Reporter/Anchor awards and is a three-time Academy of Television Arts & Sciences EMMY Award winner with 14 nominations.
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