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Michigan picks Sanders, Trump

LANSING, Mich. – Republican Donald Trump and Democrat Bernie Sanders won in Michigan’s presidential primaries on Tuesday – Sanders sending a big message in this industrial state that he is still viable in the 2016 race, and Trump holding onto his front-runner status.

Trump comfortably defeated Ohio Gov. John Kasich and Texas Sen. Ted Cruz, who were in a close battle for second, and Florida Sen. Marco Rubio, who fell short of a 15 percent threshold to collect delegates.

Fifty-nine delegates – the third most in the GOP contest so far – will be divided proportionally among the Republicans. Trump – who led by 12 percentage points with 90 percent of precincts reporting – will win at least 21 Michigan delegates, Kasich at least 15 and Cruz at least 12.

Clinton, the former secretary of state, and Sanders, a Vermont senator, were set to share 130 delegates – the second-largest haul so far – not including unbound superdelegates. Sanders had 50 percent of the vote to Clinton’s 48 percent – a surprise after polls showed Clinton leading. Sanders will win at least 63 Michigan delegates and Clinton at least 52.

In a news conference at one of his Florida resorts, Trump predicted he would win Michigan in November’s general election – something a Republican nominee has not done in 28 years.

Sanders, also speaking from Florida before next week’s primary, said Michigan voters “repudiated” the polls and pundits.

“What tonight means is that the Bernie Sanders campaign, the people’s revolution, the political revolution, is strong in every part of the country. And, frankly, we believe our strongest areas are yet to happen,” he said.

Car salesman Rick Waddell, 61, of Crystal Township in Montcalm County northeast of Grand Rapids, said he and his wife, Kaye, voted for Trump.

“We are so disappointed with the GOP establishment, and the same old, same old doesn’t cut it,” he said. “We need drastic action to reverse our downward spiral economically.”

In recent days, the Democrats battled over trade deals and auto bailouts in the state that lost hundreds of thousands of manufacturing jobs in a protracted, decade-long downturn. They also held a debate in Flint, where residents need filters to use tap water because of lead contamination resulting from state regulatory failures.

Oriana Barnett, a stay-at-home mom from Ann Arbor, said she decided after Sunday’s debate that she would support Sanders. She cited his firm stance against fracking and Clinton’s “more conservative” answers.

“I voted with my heart, not my head,” she said.

But her husband felt differently.

“I voted with my head,” said Josh Barnett, a retail buyer. “I want to win.”

Among Republicans, who debated in Detroit, Kasich in particular put a heavy emphasis on Michigan.

Claire and Mick Olinik of Traverse City made Kasich their choice. They said they believe he is fiscally responsible and smart – someone who would exercise good judgment and represent the nation well.

“I like the fact that he leans more conservative, but he’s not a scary conservative,” said Claire, a professional musician and co-owner with her husband of a marketing business. “Of everybody still left in the race, frankly, he’s the one that scares me least.”

Clinton marked the primary day with some stops at a bakery and coffeehouse in Detroit, where she was hoping to maintain the overwhelming support from black voters she has received elsewhere.

“I like what she stands for – trying to keep our money here in the United States,” said Kisha Gibson, 43, a host at a Detroit casino. “She said that if you are taking jobs elsewhere, you need to pay a tax.”

After this summer’s national conventions, Michigan will be crucial to the Democratic nominee. Democrats have won the state six straight times dating back to 1992, and the general election has not been competitive since 2004.

Associated Press writers Michael Gerstein in Lansing, Corey Williams in Detroit, Dee-Ann Durbin in Ann Arbor and John Flesher in Traverse City contributed to this report.

Copyright 2016 The Associated Press.

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