Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

As it happenedended

Presidential primaries live: Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump each win three states as Marco Rubio drops out

Another day, another "super" Tuesday

Payton Guion
North Carolina, New York
,Justin Carissimo,Rachael Revesz
Tuesday 15 March 2016 18:43 GMT
Comments
There's one less Republican in the race as Hillary Clinton aims for a sweep for the Democrats.
There's one less Republican in the race as Hillary Clinton aims for a sweep for the Democrats. (Paul Sancya/Associated Press)

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Five states held their presidential primaries on Tuesday: Florida, Illinois, Missouri, North Carolina and Ohio. It was win or go home for Marco Rubio and John Kasich in their home states of Florida and Ohio — in which Rubio was sent home packing while Kasich upset Republican front-runner Donald Trump.

Ahead of Tuesday's primaries, Republican polls showed Trump leading in Florida, Illinois, Missouri and North Carolina. Trump and Ohio Governor Kasich are neck-and-neck in the Buckeye State. Democratic polls show Hillary Clinton leading in all states except for Illinois siding with Bernie Sanders.

Follow along for live results and commentary.

Marco Rubio's staff have been given the all clear to return to their Washington DC office shortly after they were evacuated due to the discovery of a powdery substance in envelopes.

Rachael Revesz15 March 2016 21:54

CNN reports that 39% of people in Ohio are "angry" with federal government, and it's the same in Florida and rises to 40% in North Carolina. That makes a lot of angry people, clamoring for change.

Rachael Revesz15 March 2016 22:12

¡Solo queda una hora más para votar! No espere más, y vaya a votar inmediatamente por mí. http://pbs.twimg.com/media/CdnyUmkW8AAknTW.jpg

Marco Rubio15 March 2016 22:13

Steve Kornacki from MSNBC gives some sign where Trump will do well - he has made strong efforts to grow his links with Christian groups...

GOP exits -- Born-again/evangelical Christian?NC 67%Missouri 58%Ohio 52% Florida 48%Illinois 43%

— Steve Kornacki (@SteveKornacki) https://twitter.com/SteveKornacki/status/709860288015634433

">March 15, 2016

twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8">

Rachael Revesz15 March 2016 22:15

Just 25 minutes until the polls close in Florida!Ohio and North Carolina follow at 7.30pm ET

Illinois, Missouri and Florida are last at 8pm ET

Rachael Revesz15 March 2016 22:38

A new study from FiveThirtyEight says things are looking good for Bernie Sanders in seven out of the next eight contests after today.

Rachael Revesz15 March 2016 22:46

Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump are ahead in Florida as the results emerge Clinton - 65.1% Democrat vote

Trump - 62.3% Republican vote

Rachael Revesz15 March 2016 23:08

One third of the Florida vote results are in. Trump and Clinton are still ahead with 45% and 66% of the vote respectively.

Rachael Revesz15 March 2016 23:27

CNN projects Donald Trump will win all 99 delegates, and forecasts Hillary Clinton to win all the Democratic delegates in Florida, the winner takes all state.

Rachael Revesz16 March 2016 00:02

Marco Rubio drops out presidential race

Marco Rubio has dropped out of the presidential race after his rival Donald Trump knocked him out of his home state in Florida.

The 44-year-old announced he would suspend his campaign following a series of low results across five US states on Super Tuesday.

In an emotional speech to his supporters, he said he wanted to congratulate Donald Trump and responded to boos from the audience that he respected the voters’ decision.

He also said he was “proud” not to have run a campaign of hate and fear, alluding to Mr Trump’s vitriolic comments.

“In a year like this, that would have been the easiest way to win,” he said.

“The politics of resentment against other people will leave us not just as a fractured party but a fractured nation,” he added.

He blamed the political establishment for his low turn-out, mentioning the Tea Party which brought him into power in 2010.

“By 2014, nothing had changed.”

He said voters were “angry and frustrated” after many people lost their money and jobs in the 2008 financial crisis.

“I blame a political establishment that has looked down at conservatives as simple minded people,” he said.

“I still remain hopeful and optimistic about America. How can I not?"

Mr Rubio spoke of his immigrant family background, his wife and four children, and said he was proud that his parents could cast a vote for their son to be president of the US.

"There’s nothing more you could have done. You and we worked as hard as we could have done."

Rachael Revesz16 March 2016 00:32

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in