In Ohio, Joe Biden and Donald Trump clinched victories in their respective party primaries in Illinois on Tuesday, securing additional delegates as they advance towards a potential rematch in the upcoming presidential election in November.
Both Biden, representing the Democrats, and Trump, from the Republican camp, also swept the primaries in Ohio without much difficulty. Additionally, Trump emerged victorious in the Republican primary in Florida. Notably, Biden faced no competition in Florida, as the Democrats opted to cancel their primary and allocate all 224 delegates to him—a move with precedent for an incumbent president.
Anticipated triumphs for both Trump and Biden are also foreseen in the primaries held in Arizona and Kansas on Tuesday, bolstering their support following their confirmation as their parties’ presumptive nominees just last week.
Aside from the presidential race, other electoral contests across the nation could offer valuable insights into the prevailing political sentiments. The Republican Senate primary in Ohio features Bernie Moreno, endorsed by Trump, against two contenders: Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose and Matt Dolan, whose family possesses the Cleveland Guardians baseball team.
Meanwhile, residents of Chicago will cast their votes on whether to levy a one-time real estate tax to fund new initiatives aimed at addressing homelessness. Additionally, Californian voters will edge closer to selecting a replacement for former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, who vacated his seat subsequent to his removal from Republican leadership.
Trump and Biden have primarily focused their attention on the general election in recent weeks, directing their campaigns towards states that could emerge as battlegrounds in November rather than solely those hosting primaries.
Trump, a resident of Florida, exercised his voting right at a recreational facility in Palm Beach on Tuesday, affirming to reporters, “I cast my vote for Donald Trump.”
Over the weekend, Trump held a rally in Ohio, a state that has traditionally leaned towards the Republican Party for several years, following its status as a crucial indicator in past presidential elections. Trump secured victory in Ohio by approximately an 8-percentage-point margin in both 2016 and 2020. However, indications suggest that the state could witness heightened competition in 2024. Notably, Ohio overwhelmingly voted to safeguard abortion rights in its constitution last year and also approved the legalization of marijuana.
Concurrently, Biden is embarking on visits to Nevada and Arizona on Tuesday, states that were closely contested in 2020 and remain key battlegrounds for both campaigns.
Both Trump and Biden are campaigning based on their respective records in office, portraying each other as a menace to the nation. Trump, aged 77, depicts his 81-year-old opponent, Biden, as mentally unfit. Furthermore, the president has characterized his Republican adversary as a threat to democracy, citing his endeavors to overturn the 2020 election results and his admiration for authoritarian leaders.
These overarching themes were palpable at various polling sites on Tuesday.
Trump supporter Linda Bennet, a resident of Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, near Trump’s Mar-a-Lago resort, echoed Trump’s assertions regarding Biden, remarking, “I doubt President Biden even remembers how to tie his shoelaces.”
Despite aligning with Trump’s criticisms of Biden, Bennet expressed dissatisfaction with Trump’s rhetoric and demeanor, considering them unbecoming of a president. Nevertheless, she commended Trump as “a man of his word,” asserting that the country, particularly the economy, prospered under his stewardship.
In Columbus, Ohio, Democrat Brenda Woodfolk cast her vote for Biden, echoing the president’s narrative about the stakes in the upcoming election.
She voiced her concerns, stating, “It’s concerning to think that Trump might regain control of the Oval Office. Trump seems inclined towards authoritarianism, advocating for a return to a predominantly white America and similar rhetoric. There’s far too much animosity prevailing.”
Despite their differing political affiliations, both Bennet and Woodfolk identified immigration as a pressing issue, albeit with contrasting perspectives.
Bennet, the Republican voter, decried what she perceived as an uncontrollable situation at the border, positing it as a deliberate government strategy to alter the country’s demographic makeup for political gain.
Conversely, Woodfolk, the Democrat, expressed acceptance of immigrants sharing opportunities in the U.S. but voiced concerns that it could disadvantage long-standing residents.
Trump and Republicans have consistently targeted Biden over the surge of migrants crossing the U.S.-Mexico border in recent years, seeking to leverage the issue beyond states directly bordering Mexico. Biden has intensified his rebuttal in recent weeks following Senate Republicans’ rejection of a migration compromise negotiated with the White House, a stance they adopted only after Trump voiced his opposition to the deal. Biden has seized upon this development to argue that Trump and the Republicans are disinterested in resolving the issue and instead aim to stoke voters’ sentiments in an election year.
In addition to his campaign activities, Trump has been embroiled in legal battles over the past year, facing numerous criminal charges and civil lawsuits that could result in fines exceeding $500 million.
His initial criminal trial, scheduled to commence in New York on Monday on allegations of falsifying business records to conceal hush money payments, was postponed by a judge for 30 days following the disclosure of new evidence. Trump’s legal team cited the need for additional time to review the new evidence. — Jackson reported from Palm Beach Gardens, Florida. Price reported from New York. Barrow reported from Atlanta. Associated Press writer Jill Colvin in New York contributed to this report.