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Version 6 Version 7
Democrat or Republican, it’s mostly about Trump Democrat or Republican, it’s mostly about Trump
(about 3 hours later)
There were Hillary Clinton supporters who voted for Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) to send a message to Republican front-runner Donald Trump. There were Muslims terrified of both the billionaire and his supporters. And then there were others — many others, it seemed — who said they were voting for Trump because they love what he has to say.There were Hillary Clinton supporters who voted for Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) to send a message to Republican front-runner Donald Trump. There were Muslims terrified of both the billionaire and his supporters. And then there were others — many others, it seemed — who said they were voting for Trump because they love what he has to say.
Virginia’s open primary on Tuesday seemed in many ways to be driven by both enthusiam and antipathy for the business mogul who has turned this campaign season upside down. Virginia’s open primary on Tuesday was in large part driven by both enthusiasm and antipathy for the business mogul who has turned this presidential election season upside down.
“I hate to say it, but I like Trump,” Charlie Selby, 73, said after casting his ballot at Brentsville High School in Prince William County, a bellwether jurisdiction . “He’s kind of a loudmouth, but he’s got people’s attention. . . . None of those other turkey necks ever met a payroll.” “I hate to say it, but I like Trump,” Charlie Selby, 73, said after casting his ballot at Brentsville High School in Prince William County, a bellwether jurisdiction. “He’s kind of a loudmouth, but he’s got people’s attention. . . . None of those other turkey necks ever met a payroll.”
Bill Dennis, who owns a small carpentry business in the county, was participating in a primary for the first time. Mostly, he said, he liked Trump’s tough stance on illegal immigration. Mohammed Khan, a 49-year-old transport service worker in Ashburn, said he was afraid Trump would “shut down all the mosques in America” if he became president.
“I’m self-employed, and the last bunch of years have been pretty poor,” said Dennis, 64. In an industry where illegal hiring is rampant, he said, “it’s hard to compete.” Preliminary returns suggest that the emotion on both sides drove high turnout across Northern Virginia, particularly in the Republican primary (Virginia voters do not register by party and can request either a Democratic or a Republican ballot on primary day).
[Read the latest Super Tuesday updates] In both Alexandria and Fairfax, more people had voted Republican by midday on Tuesday than did by the close of voting on primary day in 2008, the last time there was no incumbent running for president. There were more absentee and early voters in Arlington, Alexandria and Fairfax this year than there were in 2008.
Virginia, one of 12 states holding primaries or caucuses on Super Tuesday, has been the most-predictive state in the nation when it comes to the general election in recent years. It is considered a key part of Clinton’s firewall against Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders, and it is one of the places where Republican underdogs Rubio and Ohio Gov. John Kasich could gain some traction with moderate or establishment suburban voters. Veteran Alexandria precinct captain Mike Lane called the turnout “exceptional,” and “incredibly unexpected.” Polls opened at 6 a.m. and close at 7 p.m.
Polls opened at 6 a.m. and close at 7 p.m. In Loudoun County, an exurb of Washington, turnout by late afternoon was on pace to match 2008. But registrar Judy Brown said that there too, Republican interest was higher.
The latest surveys of voters suggest that Clinton will win Virginia comfortably, but Sanders has made an aggressive push, especially among college students. “We’ve got more Republicans voting now than Democrats,” Brown said. “In 2008, we had more Democrats voting than Republicans.”
Clinton is taking no chances, appearing in Fairfax and Norfolk on Monday and deploying an army of surrogates across the state in recent weeks, including Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe (D), a close friend, and her husband, former president Bill Clinton. Prince William County only had scattered reports by mid-afternoon. But there, too, Republicans appeared to be voting in higher numbers than the past, said election communications coordinator Winston Forrest.
But if the Democratic establishment is on top in Virginia, the Republican establishment is in tatters. Trump appears poised to win easily, as he is elsewhere in the country. Some of those Republicans voters described themselves as Democrats who used Virginia’s open primary system in ways they thought would ultimately end up boosting Democratic fortunes.
Rubio is fighting hard, though. Voters saw over half a million dollars worth of ads touting his candidacy, and he made several stops in Virginia on Sunday. Norfolk city employee and Clinton supporter Jessica Dennis cast her ballot for Rubio — believing that by doing so, she could help stop Trump. Trump “talks a lot and says a lot of words, but frequently, I don’t think he knows what he’s saying,” said the 28-year-old.
In liberal Arlington, legal secretary Madelon Bloom had an even more convoluted strategy. “I voted for Hillary by voting for Trump,” she said after casting her ballot at Glebe Elementary School. “I think if Trump — I call him Chump — gets the nomination, people will be appalled, and the Republicans won’t vote in November.”
Many Hispanic and Muslim voters across Northern Virginia said they were afraid of a Trump victory and turned out to vote for Clinton.
Hassan Huruse, 42, a language instructor in Herndon who immigrated from Somalia, said he was worried that Trump’s negative rhetoric about Muslims and other immigrants might unleash a wave of violence if the billionaire becomes president.
“The radical views of a leader can have a powerful effect on people who are already angry. We have seen it in history,” said Huruse, who said he was undecided between Clinton and Sanders.
Gazal Modhera, 42, a Muslim lawyer voting in Ashburn, said her two adolescent sons were fearful of encountering hostile Trump supporters if they accompanied her to the polls.
“Hillary has a good heart, and the Democrats have a more human feeling than the Republicans for immigrants, whether they have papers or not,” said Maria Cardona, 57, a day-care worker from El Salvador voting in Herndon.
Opinion was far more diverse among voters who had immigrated from India, China or the Philippines. Many focused on economic issues rather than the candidates’ views of foreign-born Americans like themselves.
“I don’t like all of Trump’s ideas, but he speaks from the heart. Plus, he makes millions of dollars, so he can probably do that for all Americans,” said Marivic Barasona, 56, a hospital nursing assistant. She was one of four Filipina women who drove together to the Herndon community center to cast their ballots, which were split them among two parties and three candidates: Two chose Clinton, one Trump and one Rubio.
Republican underdogs Rubio and Ohio Gov. John Kasich are hoping to gain some traction with these moderate suburban voters.
[Trump rally in Radford, Va. turns ugly when Secret Service agent scuffles with photographer]
At the Chrysler Museum of Art, in Norfolk, Rubio won the votes of Neal and Karen Crawford, who said they think he’s the best conservative choice in the race and represents the future of the party. “If the Republican Party wants to win, it needs to diversify,” said Karen Crawford, 52. “He represents the new generation of the party.”At the Chrysler Museum of Art, in Norfolk, Rubio won the votes of Neal and Karen Crawford, who said they think he’s the best conservative choice in the race and represents the future of the party. “If the Republican Party wants to win, it needs to diversify,” said Karen Crawford, 52. “He represents the new generation of the party.”
Kasich, who is holding an Election Day rally in Arlington, also received some support . “He’s a guy who’s been in Congress, who has run a state,” said Jim Damico, 51, who lives in Prince William and works as a regulatory consultant for government contractors. “He knows how to get along with people.”Kasich, who is holding an Election Day rally in Arlington, also received some support . “He’s a guy who’s been in Congress, who has run a state,” said Jim Damico, 51, who lives in Prince William and works as a regulatory consultant for government contractors. “He knows how to get along with people.”
[Trump rally in Radford, Va. turns ugly when Secret Service agent scuffles with photographer] Turnout appeared to be lower in central and coastal Virginia, according to election officials. In military-heavy Norfolk, some said Trump wasn’t ready to lead.
In Norfolk, city employee Jessica Dennis said she supports Clinton, but was casting her ballot for Rubio — believing that by doing so, she could help stop Trump. She said she is confident that Clinton can defeat Sanders without her help. “He’s not ready to be commander-in-chief. He has no experience,” said Army Major Peter Johnson, who is 48 and is stationed at Ft. Eustis 30 miles away. “The issues are going to overwhelm him because they’re so complex.”
In liberal Arlington, legal secretary Madelon Bloom had an even more convoluted strategy. Ron Sledge, who was an Air Force radar technician for four year and whose wife also served in the military, also said he doubted Trump had the experience to lead the country. He voted for Bernie Sanders with his 18-year-old daughter because he thought the Vermont senator offered the best vision for her economic future and educational opportunities.
“I voted for Hillary by voting for Trump,” she said after casting her ballot at Glebe Elementary School. “I think if Trump — I call him Chump — gets the nomination, people will be appalled, and the Republicans won’t vote in November.” “If we are sending our kids off to war, we have to think for what cause,” said Sledge, 56.
Immigrant and Muslim groups in Virginia have said they will try to mobilize against Trump. Officials at several mosques in the region set up phone banks last weekend and have spoken at community forums, urging Muslims to vote. While Clinton is far ahead in Virginia, according to pre-election surveys, Sanders supporters were out at the polls and energized.
“It’s about changing a political culture, and that starts today,” said Peter Lengyel, a 23-year-old student in Arlington.
[Dvorak: Trump’s bigotry is driving Muslims to the polls][Dvorak: Trump’s bigotry is driving Muslims to the polls]
Gazal Modhera, 42, a Muslim lawyer voting in Ashburn, said her two adolescent sons were fearful of encountering hostile Trump supporters if they accompanied her to the polls. Hassan Huruse, 42, a language instructor in Herndon who immigrated from Somalia, said he was worried that Trump’s negative rhetoric about Muslims and other immigrants might unleash a wave of violence if he becomes president. Antonio Olivo, Fenit Nirappil, Jenna Portnoy, Patricia Sullivan and Laura Vozzella contributed to this report.
“The radical views of a leader can have a powerful effect on people who are already angry. We have seen it in history,” said Huruse, who said he was undecided between Clinton and Sanders.
At the Herndon Community Center, where a steady stream of voters included many Hispanic and Asian immigrants, several Hispanics said they were backing Clinton and were offended by Trump’s rhetoric on Mexicans and illegal immigrants.
“Hillary has a good heart, and the Democrats have a more human feeling than the Republicans for immigrants, whether they have papers or not,” said Maria Cardona, 57, a day-care worker from El Salvador.
Opinion was far more diverse, however, among voters who had immigrated from India, China or the Philippines. Many focused on economic issues rather than the candidates’ views of foreign-born Americans like themselves.
“I don’t like all of Trump’s ideas, but he speaks from the heart. Plus, he makes millions of dollars, so he can probably do that for all Americans,” said Marivic Barasona, 56, a hospital nursing assistant. She was one of four Filipina women who drove together to cast their ballots but split them among two parties and three candidates: Two chose Clinton, one Trump and one Rubio.
Many voters expressed limited enthusiasm for their choices on both sides of the political aisle. Brenna Isman, a 45-year-old nonprofit worker in Arlington, said she was “not overwhelmingly excited” to cast her vote for Clinton.
“It felt like she was going to happen all along,” Isman said. Her tepid support might cool even further, she said, if an FBI investigation into Clinton’s email usage proves damning.
In contrast, Gladys Johnson of Richmond, 83, said she was excited about the potential to elect the first female president.
“Our country is in bad shape,” Johnson said. “It’s just time we get a lady in the White House as president. And I think she’ll do a marvelous job.”
Sanders had his own enthusiastic supporters. “It’s about changing a political culture, and that starts today,” said Peter Lengyel, a 23-year-old student voting for Sanders in Arlington.
Despite the complaints from some voters, there were several indications that the tumultuous primary season has captured Virginians’ interest.
Arlington registrar Linda Lindberg said 2,368 voters participated in early or absentee voting in the county this year. Almost 1,500 cast early or absentee ballots in the Democratic primary, a 10 percent boost from the 2008 primary; 512 voted in the Republican primary, twice as many as in 2008.
In Alexandria, 2,580 voters cast absentee or early ballots this year, said registrar Anna Leider. There were 1,695 Democratic early or absentee voters, 25 percent more than in 2008. About 885 voters cast Republican ballots before primary day, up 80 percent from that year.
Veteran precinct captain Mike Lane said he was astonished at the turnout at Alexandria’s George Washington Middle School on Tuesday morning.
It’s “exceptional,” Lane said, and “incredibly unexpected.”
By noon Tuesday, the number of voters casting Republican primary ballots in Alexandria was higher than the total number of GOP voters in that city during the 2008 presidential primary, Alexandria registrar of elections Anna Leider said. On the Democratic side, there have been about half as many voters as in 2008.
Pam Constable, Fenit Nirappil, Jenna Portnoy, Patricia Sullivan and Laura Vozzella contributed to this report.