News / Politics

Marco Rubio wins Puerto Rico Republican primary

Sunday, 06 March 2016 11:50 PM [ Last Update: Monday, 07 March 2016 12:01 AM ]

US Republican presidential candidate Marco Rubio speaks during CPAC 2016 conference, March 5, 2016 in National Harbor, Maryland. (AFP photo)

Florida Senator Marco Rubio has won the US Republican primary election in Puerto Rico, where 23 delegates are at stake, according to US media projections.

With about 86 percent of the precincts reported on Sunday, Rubio had 74 percent of the vote, with Republican frontrunner Donald Trump in second with about 13 percent.

Residents of Puerto Rico, a US territory located in the northeastern Caribbean, have American citizenship but cannot vote in the general election. However, they can participate in the primary process.

If confirmed, this would be just the second victory for Rubio, who has been struggling in the presidential race.

Rubio, the son of Cuban immigrants, won in Minnesota on Super Tuesday, when the greatest number of states hold primary elections to pick the Republican and Democratic White House nominees.

Trump won seven states on Super Tuesday and his closest rival, Senator Ted Cruz, clinched three states.

On Super Saturday, when four states hold primary elections, Trump and Cruz won two states each, while Rubio finished the distant-third.

After the results, Trump called on Rubio to quit the White House race. “Marco Rubio had a very, very bad night. I think it’s time he drops out of the race.”

Democrats in Puerto Rico will vote to choose a candidate on June 5.

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