Republican presidential candidate, Ohio Gov. John Kasich meets with attendees during a campaign stop on Monday, March 14, 2016, at the MAPS Air Museum in North Canton, Ohio.
Republican presidential candidate Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., speaks during a Republican primary night celebration rally at Florida International University in Miami, Fla., Tuesday, March 15, 2016. Rubio is ending his campaign for the Republican nomination for president after a humiliating loss in his home state of Florida. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya) Donald Trump won a decisive victory in Florida’s primary Tuesday night, forcing home-state Sen. Marco Rubio to abandon the race for the Republican presidential nomination. But another big prize – Ohio – went to its governor, John Kasich.
Florida’s outcome, with companion wins in North Carolina and Illinois, strengthened Trump’s chances to secure the Republican presidential nomination. The third contender, Texas Sen. Ted Cruz, is hoping to pick up enough delegates to force a contested national GOP convention in July.
“Do not give in to the fear,” Rubio said in a not-so-subtle reference to Trump. “Do not give in to the frustration.”
Florida and Ohio award the most delegates; Missouri also held a primary Tuesday.
Kasich had to win Ohio to keep his struggling campaign alive, but even so, he has virtually no path to the nomination.