Ted Cruz is projected to win the Idaho primary. The networks called his victory at a little after midnight ET.
Cruz visited the state earlier in this week, and the shooting of a Idaho pastor who delivered a prayer at Cruz campaign rally there made national headlines. (The pastor is recovering and the suspect was arrested outside the White House Tuesday evening.)
He defeated Rubio, who also visited the state, and overall had a terrible night Tuesday. The GOP frontrunner Donald Trump did not even visit the state ahead of the primary.
Cruz had the endorsement of Idaho GOP Rep. Raúl Labrador.
My thoughts over the day.
Idaho is my home state. When I saw that only a Republican caucus was listed, I wondered for a moment if the Democrats had canceled theirs for a lack of interest or to save their money for a useful purpose. But I see that theirs is March 22. Their website says, “Show up March 22nd or reserve your caucus seat today and skip the long lines!” and that brightened my Seattle morning.
Preliminary results:
Having spent my entire childhood in Idaho, I was curious to see how this would end. We are talking about a state with a long history of wildly supporting ludicrous candidates and politicians. Personally, I take this as a very promising and positive sign. I would have expect Idaho to be Trump territory, but there is also a pragmatic streak to the people there.
This actually might mean something. I will have to look for some earlier polling data to see if he just never registered or if it reflects a shift. If anyone else has some, share it.
Later
Looks like Trump has been polling around 30-32% and well in first place for some time with 20% undecided or none of the above. Several people predicted a Trump victory. So he is coming in very slightly below his polls with none of the undecideds. I would think that has to reflect a pretty big swing against him. Cause for hope? Perhaps.
Do mormons prefer Cruz?
I think I understand what you’re saying here. But I don’t see how the idea of a Ted Cruz win is a cause for hope. Sorry. I just don’t see it.
A hope that republicans are just assholes, not insane assholes.
He defeated Rubio, who also visited the state, and overall had a terrible night Tuesday.
No, it was Rubio who had a terrible night. Comma placement matters.