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Trump And Sanders Victorious In Michigan Presidential Primaries

Local clerks reported high turnout and long lines in some places as voters handed Donald Trump a victory in Michigan’s Republican presidential primary, while the Democratic race went to Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders. 

A surge of voters put Sanders ahead of former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.   Ben Duell Fraser of Detroit is a Sanders supporter.  He says Sanders supporters knew a surge was coming.  Fraser says he expects that momentum to continue. 

"When you come from three percent in the polls to winning an election in March, in Michigan, you're doing well, you're building something."

Congresswoman DebbieDingell is a Clinton supporter.  She says the result was not a complete surprise. 

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Quote from Debbie Dingell

“I always thought the numbers were going to be tighter than what polls show. I’m happy to see we’ve got two substantive candidates who’ve engaged people and it really increased voter turnout.”

In the Republican primary, Donald Trump came out on top while Texas Senator Ted Cruz and Ohio Governor JohnKasich were in a virtual tie for second place.  Kasich told a crowd in Lansing Tuesday that Michigan could re-set the race. 

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Quote from John Kasich

“A great finish here in this state, a great result in this state that is going to send a message across the country, and, frankly, I think, across the world, that it’s a new day for this presidential campaign."

Most of the polls in the race were far off the mark, predicting Clinton was headed for a win.  Sanders made trade policy a central issue in appealing to Michigan voters. 

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-- Rick Pluta is the Managing Editor and Reporter for the Michigan Public Radio network.  Contact WEMU News at734.487.3363 or email us at studio@wemu.org

Rick Pluta is the managing editor for the Michigan Public Radio Network.
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