The Patriot Post® · MI Primary First Indication of Rust Belt's GOP Pick

Today, four states head to the polls to decide their pick for the Republican nomination for president — Michigan, Hawaii, Idaho and Mississippi. In total, 150 delegates are up for grabs. Of the races, Michigan, with its 59 delegates, is the most notable as it’s the first primary in a Rust Belt state.

According to FiveThirtyEight’s Michigan primary forecast, Donald Trump is almost certain to win the state with support of about 36.6% of GOP voters. The question becomes who will come in second place. Rust Belt Republicans see promise in John Kasich, the governor of nearby Ohio. The candidate who uses the Bible as an excuse to expand government is in a dead heat with Ted Cruz, the man who has the second-most delegates. For voters who care about the ideals of conservatism, Cruz is becoming the best candidate to keep those values in the Republican Party.

According to Red State’s Leon Wolf, Cruz has three goals in these primaries. First, he must beat Kasich in Michigan, while simultaneously keeping him in the race and ot giving his campaign any oxygen. Secondly, Cruz must at least finish strong in Mississippi. Southern states have rallied behind Trump and a Cruz win in the Deep South might indicate Trump’s support is receding fast. Finally, Cruz could score political points by winning Idaho, a win he’s expecting as he was in the Gem State over the weekend.