Supporters cheer for Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton as results come in during an election night event at the Palm Beach County Convention Center in West Palm Beach, Fla., Tuesday, March 15, 2016. AP PHOTO
WASHINGTON—Democrat Hillary Clinton and Republican Donald Trump won the presidential primaries in Florida on Tuesday, US networks projected — big wins for the frontrunners in the 2016 White House race.
Clinton was also projected to win the primary in North Carolina. No call was made in the Republican race in that state.
READ: Trump, Clinton facing decisive day in 2016 campaign
US networks said the races in Ohio, Illinois and Missouri were still too close to call, with polls now closed in all five states.
“Thank you, Florida!” Trump tweeted shortly after the race in the Sunshine State was called.
The win for the 69-year-old real estate mogul was a major setback for Senator Marco Rubio in his home state.
In Ohio, another general election battle ground state, the picture was less clear, with home state Governor John Kasich pushing Trump hard.
READ: Super Tuesday: Clinton, Trump look to pull away from rivals
“The grand prize is Ohio, because Ohio is critical for a Republican to win the White House,” said Republican strategist and Kasich supporter Mike Gonidakis.
He predicted a large turnout: “We believe… that they’re coming out to draw a line in the sand against Donald Trump.”