WASHINGTON (MEDIA GENERAL) – Less than an hour after the polls closed in South Carolina, the nation’s first Southern state primary, most major television networks declared Donald Trump the winner.
Donald Trump is expected to win South Carolina according to reports from the Washington Post, NBC and ABC News.
Sen. Marco Rubio (Florida) and Sen. Ted Cruz (Texas) appear to be the top two candidates competing for a second place victory in the Palmetto state. The Trump campaign is expected to hold a victory speech on Saturday night while results continue to be counted. After a major win in New Hampshire, polls suggested Trump would win the South Carolina primary, but the race had tightened within the last few days.
Trump spent Saturday night tweeting about the results as they appeared on networks like CNN and FOX News.
People (pundits) gave me no chance in South Carolina. Now it looks like a possible win. I would be happy with a one vote victory! (HOPE)
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 21, 2016
//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js
Could the end be in sight for two campaigns?
The South Carolina results could lead to two candidates deciding to exit the race for the White House. Jeb Bush, the former Florida Governor and son of an American dynasty, was unable to gain momentum despite being considered a front-runner in 2015. The Bush campaign fought back rumors on Friday that staffers were considering exit strategies.
Report: Jeb Bush campaign staff already looking for new gigs https://t.co/AYRjLeV2on pic.twitter.com/UBzMvpspr7
— Newser (@Newser) February 20, 2016
//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js
Bush staff float resumes with Florida consultants https://t.co/vqEqgJ41Kw | Getty pic.twitter.com/lRpNNsfj8P
— POLITICO (@politico) February 20, 2016
//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js
Race continues past South Carolina
In just under two weeks, the Super Tuesday contests are set to begin with contests being held around the country in multiple states. There is one more GOP debate scheduled on Thursday ahead of the super Tuesday event.
GOP Super Tuesday States: Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, Colorado, Georgia, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Texas, Vermont, Virginia, Wyoming
For the latest in the Race for the White House, follow @markpmeredith on Twitter
