DISPATCHES
(Trump drives Ky. turnout, for and against, as he beats Cruz by 4 points; Rubio, Kasich far back
Here’s about half the line at the First Methodist Church in Georgetown at 11 a.m).
GOP HAS BIG TURNOUT IN FIRST CAUSUS
By Al Cross
Director, Institute for Rural Journalism and Community Issues
GEORGETOWN, Ky. – Donald J. Trump drove surprisingly strong turnout in Kentucky’s first-ever Republican presidential caucuses that he won Saturday.
“I want to see change and I think he’s the man who will do it,” Georgetown auctioneer Chip Foley said. “I’m fed up with the insiders.”
But amid the many fans of the New York businessman, some Bluegrass voters said they came out on a cold, rainy day to help keep him from winning the party’s nomination.
24th District solid for Trump
“ LAWRENCE CO. GOES TRUMP
Anybody but Trump,” homemaker Michelle Glenn said as she stood in a long line to vote in the gymnasium of the First Methodist Church in Georgetown, where police had to direct heavy traffic.
Glenn said she would vote for Texas Sen. Ted Cruz, who appeared to be the main beneficiary of the anti-Trump vote, running 4.35 percentage points behind in the state party’s count.
Patricia Fannin of Georgetown also said she would vote for Cruz because “He’s standing up against Trump.”
The big loser was Florida Sen. Marco Rubio, who canceled an appearance in Lexington the day before, despite support from much of Kentucky’s Republican establishment. He finished a distant third with 16.7 percent, barely ahead of Ohio Gov. John Kasich, who got 15.4 percent without much of an effort in the state.
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