Brought to you by WBIW News and Network Indiana
Last updated on Wednesday, May 4, 2016
(UNDATED) - Donald Trump took a major step toward sewing up the Republican presidential nomination Tuesday with a victory in Indiana’s primary election, dashing the hopes of rival Ted Cruz and other GOP forces who fear the brash businessman will doom their party in the general election.
Senator Ted Cruz ended his presidential campaign, dropping out of the race for U.S. president after the massive defeat.
"Together, we left it all on the field in Indiana. We gave it all we got. But the voters chose another path," Cruz said Tuesday night.
Trump has now won seven straight primary contests and has 80 percent of the delegates needed to secure the GOP nomination. But can't mathematically clinch the GOP nomination with his victory in Indiana, but his path has become easier with more room for error in the primary contest.
Whether a united Republican Party is even possible with Trump at the helm remains deeply uncertain. Even before the Indiana results were finalized, some conservative leaders were planning a Wednesday meeting to assess the viability of launching a third party candidacy to compete with Trump in the fall.
Hillary Clinton, Bernie Sanders were locked in tight race for Indiana Democratic primary. But Sanders came out on top.
Sanders took to social media to thank Indiana for the win, posting an image that said: "The political revolution wins in Indiana! Thank you."
Early results had Hillary Clinton in a small lead over Bernie Sanders, 51 to 49 percent. With around 17 percent of precincts reporting, Clinton led by a few hundred votes. Then Sanders pulled ahead by under 200 votes with 20 percent of precincts reporting.
With 26 percent of precincts reporting, Sanders was ahead of Clinton by over 2,800 votes.
Clinton already is 91 percent of the way to her party's nomination.
Republican Todd Young claimed the GOP Senate race beating out Marlin A. Stutzman.
Shelli Yoder walked away with the U.S. Representative District 9 race claiming 72 percent of the votes with 31,546 for the Democratic party. She will face Republican Trey Hollingsworth who won with 27,786 votes.
Eric Koch beat out Josh Anderson 15,626 to 7,941 votes in the State Senator District 44 race. Koch will face off with Democrat Linda Kay Henderson in the fall.
Republican Chris May secured the State Representative District 65 bid taking 48 percent of the votes with 5,103. He will face Democrat Chris Wood this fall.
In the State Representative District 73 race Steve Davisson beat out Michael Harkness 7,190 to 2,721.
Local Results
Billie J. Tumey beat out Dan Terrell 5,814 to 3,040 securing the republican nomination. She will face off with Democrat Sarah Hillenburg in the fall. Hillenburg pulled 2,252 votes
In the Lawrence County Treasurer race, Republican Paula R. Stewart claimed 7,634 votes and will face Democrat Brianna Miller who pulled 2,191 votes.
In the commissioner races, Dustin H. Gabhart claimed 3,154 votes (39 percent), securing District 2 for the Republican Party. He will face Democrat Donald H. Robertson who took 2,139 votes.
In District 3 the top three candidates for the Republican Party were Gene McCracken with 3,257 votes; Lana Blackwell with 1,719 votes, followed by Chester Lee (Chet) Batman with 2,274 votes. Taking the Democratic nomination was Justin Mathews with 2,268 votes.
For County Council at-large Julie Johnson Hewetson came out on top for the Republican Party with 5,431 votes followed by Jim Edwards claiming 4,047 and then David A. Flinn with 3,979 votes. For the Democrats Kay Held pulled 2,275 votes.
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