Donald Trump cruised through the Rhode Island GOP primary as expected on Tuesday, but has faced stiffer competition in the state’s hunt for delegates.
Recommended Stories
Trump was projected to win the Plantation State overwhelmingly, and maintained a 29.3 percentage point lead over Ohio Gov. John Kasich in RealClearPolitics’ average of polls headed into the primary. With nearly 55 percent of precincts reporting, Trump led by approximately 44 percentage points, according to be the Associated Press.
But Rhode Island awards its delegates on a proportional basis, making it easier for the runners-up to add to their delegate count. Delegates are allocated according to the statewide vote total and results from individual congressional districts in Rhode Island.
If Texas Sen. Ted Cruz exceeds the 10 percent threshold, Cruz will earn a slice of the state’s 19 delegates that otherwise would be divided between Trump and Kasich.
Trump likely recognizes Rhode Island’s difficult delegate system, and has spent time campaigning in the state in recent days.
The billionaire businessman campaigned in Rhode Island this week and stood in solidarity with New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady. Brady has been ensnared by a “Deflategate’ scandal stemming from allegations the team under-inflated footballs to help him better grip them with his hands.
By explicitly stating his support for Brady in the Northeastern state of Rhode Island, Trump likely hoped to get a better grasp on the delegates necessary to secure the nomination.
The GOP primary will shift toward the Republican contest in Indiana next Tuesday.
