Metro-east GOP voters go for Trump; Dems split on Sanders and Clinton
Republican Donald Trump won Illinois and the metro-east, while the Democrat presidential candidates split the region.
In St. Clair County, with 191 of 192 precincts reporting, Clinton collected 16,871 votes in the Democratic race, while Sanders garnered 14,215.
But in Madison County, Sanders turned in a strong showing, taking the county with 18,723 votes to Clinton’s 15,332 with 225 of 225 precincts reporting.
For Republicans, Trump received 11,095 votes in St. Clair County, compared to 9,976 for Cruz; 3,434 for Kasich; and 1,999 for Rubio.
As of press time Tuesday no results were available from the East St. Louis Board of Election Commissioners.
On the Republican side in Madison County, Trump won with 15,588 votes, versus 13,259 for Cruz; 3,866 for Kasich; and 2,259 for Rubio.
Local voters weigh in
Voters in downtown Belleville had plenty on their minds Tuesday night while awaiting the results of the Illinois presidential primary races.
Julie Callaghan stood outside the Belleville Public Library while her family took part in a night of telescopes and star-gazing. Callaghan said she voted for Hillary Clinton because she had greater experience in government service than Sanders.
“Well, because she knows more about what she’s doing,” said Callaghan, of Belleville.
A few minutes later, and a block over on East Main St., Lou Holloway told a reporter that she had voted for Sanders in Tuesday’s primary election.
“There’s a lot of reasons,” said Holloway, of Belleville, before ticking off one of the major reasons: “Definitely education reform and making college more affordable.
Grant Clymer, of O’Fallon, said he voted for Donald Trump because “he’s going to shake things up in the Republican Party and it needs it.”
Eric Schulze, of Belleville, said he, too, voted for Trump.
“I think he says a lot of things that people ought to say but won’t say,” Schulze said.
Mike Fitzgerald: 618-239-2533, @MikeFitz3000
This story was originally published March 15, 2016 at 9:26 PM with the headline "Metro-east GOP voters go for Trump; Dems split on Sanders and Clinton."