Donald Trump seemed set for another successful night as early results predicted that he was far ahead in the vital battle for Florida. Hillary Clinton was also projected to be ahead in the so-called Sunshine State
CNN said that with 29 per cent of votes counted Mr Trump was on 45 points, with Marco Rubio on 27, Ted Cruz on 15 and John Kasich on 8. Ms Clinton was on 66 per cent, with Bernie Sanders on 31 points.
Yet the network also suggested that Mr Trump was not on route to secure a clean sweep, as he had hoped. While he was ahead in North Carolina, Ohio Governor was leading him in a state that carries 66 delegates. Ms Clinton was also leading Mr Sanders in Ohio and North Carolina, though the race in Ohio was very tight.
Mr Trump had gone into Tuesday having already won 15 states. As people in the mainland US were waking up, he claimed his 16th win, when the Northern Mariana Islands reported that the tycoon had won the vote in the Pacific island, and its haul of nine delegates.
The battle for Florida, with its 99 Republican delegates, awarded on a winner-takes all basis, is a far bigger prize.
It the projection holds true, it would also likely mean the end of Senator Marco Rubio’s presidential campaign, whose chance to victory depended on winning his home state. Mr Rubio has said he will continue his campaign, even if he loses in Florida, though most political observers believe Florida is his final chance.
For the Democrats, Florida, with its 214 delegates, is similarly a huge prize, though the party awards its delegates on a proportional basis, meaning that Senator Bernie Sanders will add something to his total from there.
