Bernie Sanders and Ted Cruz Emerge Victorious in Idaho Caucus

Bernie Sanders and Ted Cruz Emerge Victorious in Idaho Caucus

The Idaho caucus has concluded, with Bernie Sanders and Ted Cruz emerging victorious. The primary took place on March 22, 2016, and it appeared that in the wake of the Brussels terrorist attacks, voters were determined to make their voices heard. Sanders won over 78 percent of the vote.

CNN reported that Boise had the biggest single caucus in US history, with over 10,000 ballots counted, and the democratic voter lines were over a mile long. For the Democratic candidates, there are 27 delegates available in Idaho. Vermont Senator Sanders hoped to steal them away from rival Hillary Clinton, as he had 844 delegates, to her 1,437. Clinton also has the added bonus of 467 super-delegates, as opposed to Sanders, who has only 26 super-delegates. An Idaho state poll that was done in February showed that Democrats in Idaho were evenly split between the two, with Sanders just barely ahead with 47 percent to Clinton, who was at 45 percent.

An Idaho state poll that was done in February showed that Democrats in Idaho were evenly split between the two, with Sanders just barely ahead with 47 percent to Clinton, who was at 45 percent. The New York Times reported that Sanders is highly favored in Idaho. He gave a speech at Boise State University, courting the students, in a move that proved to be successful.

For the Republican candidates, Cruz emerged victorious in the Idaho caucus, winning 45 percent of the vote, as well as scoring 20 delegates. Front-runner Donald Trump trailed behind Cruz in second place, with 28 percent of the vote. He also managed to gather 12 delegates. Cruz has 425 delegates to Trump’s 625.

NPR reported that Cruz made a statement that may have won over Idaho Republicans. He made a statement about the Brussels attack immediately, first on Facebook and other social media outlets, repeated with more force, to the press. Cruz stated that the United States needed to secure its southern borders, and suggested that United States law enforcement be given the authorization to “patrol and secure Muslim neighborhoods.”

NPR also reported that in contrast, Sanders said on social media that the international community needs to come together to destroy ISIS, whose horrific acts could not be allowed to go on.

By Juanita Lewis
Edited by Cathy Milne

NPR: Cruz: ‘Empower Law Enforcement To Patrol And Secure Muslim Neighborhoods’
The New York Times: What We’re Watching as Arizona, Idaho and Utah Vote
Patch: Idaho Democratic Caucus Results: Bernie Sanders Looking For Win

Image Courtesy of Jamelle Bouie’s Flickr Page – Creative Commons License

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