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Even as Clinton wins Virginia, many voters seem focused on Trump Even as Clinton wins, many Va. voters stay focused on Trump
(about 1 hour later)
There were Hillary Clinton supporters — and establishment Republicans — who voted for Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) to send a message to Donald Trump. There were Muslims terrified of both the billionaire and his supporters. And 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 — and establishment Republicans — who voted for Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) to send a message to Donald Trump. There were Muslims terrified of both the billionaire and his supporters. And 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 was in large part driven by both enthusiasm and antipathy for the business mogul and Republican frontrunner who has turned this presidential election season upside down. Virginia’s open primary on Tuesday delivered a emphatic win for Clinton and a tighter race between Trump and Rubio than any contest so far this year. Regardless of whom they chose, many voters seemed driven by either enthusiasm and antipathy for Trump, the billionaire business mogul and Republican frontrunner who has turned this presidential election season upside down.
“That’s what I like about Trump. He says what it’s all about. He’s tired of the politicians,” said George Kurutz, 69, who came out early to vote in Prince William County, a bellwether jurisdiction, and to rail about the “white collar criminals” he said were running Congress. “He says what it’s all about. He’s tired of the politicians,” said George Kurutz, 69, who came out early to vote for Trump in Prince William County, a bellwether jurisdiction, and to rail about the “white-collar criminals” that he believes make up the United States Congress.
“They’re all running for the next election,” Kurutz said.“They’re all running for the next election,” Kurutz said.
The strong feelings for and against Trump appear to have driven up turnout in 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). Across the Washington suburbs, election officials said more voters cast Republican ballots in Tuesday’s primary than had in 2008. [See full Super Tuesday results]
[Trump rally in Radford, Va. turns ugly when Secret Service agent scuffles with photographer] In Norfolk, Neal and Karen Crawford cast their ballots for Rubio, saying Trump lacks the temperament for the presidency. And the thought of him winning the primary in Virginia?
“Heaven help us,” said Neal Crawford, a 53-year-old banker.
The strong feelings about Trump appear to have driven up turnout in 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). Across the Washington suburbs, election officials said more voters cast Republican ballots in Tuesday’s primary than had in 2008.
“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.”
In liberal Arlington, legal secretary Madelon Bloom thought she could best help Clinton win the general election by casting a ballot for Trump. In liberal Arlington, legal secretary Madelon Bloom said she thought she could best help Clinton win the general election by casting a ballot for Trump. “I voted for Hillary by voting for Trump,” Bloom said outside 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.”
“I voted for Hillary by voting for Trump,” Bloom 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.” [Why some liberals are voting in the Republican primary today]
Among Democratic voters, many were enthusiastic about Clinton, who showered the state with attention in recent days and was declared the winner moments after the polls closed at 7 p.m. But there were also strong pockets who spoke passionately about Bernie Sanders, her Democratic rival. Among those who cast Republican ballots, there was a strong current of support for Rubio, and — to a lesser degree — Ohio Gov. John Kasich. Among Democratic voters, many were enthusiastic about Clinton, who showered the state with attention in recent days and was declared the winner moments after the polls closed. But there were also pockets who spoke passionately about Bernie Sanders, her Democratic rival. Among those who cast Republican ballots, there was a strong swell of support for Rubio and — to a lesser degree — Ohio Gov. John Kasich.
Amanda Rohrer, 23, a financial analyst from Arlington who leans Republican, voted for Kasich. “I’m having a hard time finding a moderate candidate who is electable,” said Rohrer, who is gay. “I can’t vote for Cruz or Trump.” Amanda Rohrer, 23, a financial analyst from Arlington and self-described Republican, voted for Kasich. “I’m having a hard time finding a moderate candidate who is electable,” said Rohrer, who is gay. “I can’t vote for [Texas Sen. Ted] Cruz or Trump.”
Clinton supporter Gladys Johnson, of Richmond, said she was excited about the potential to elect the first female president. “Our country is in bad shape,” said Johnson, 83. “It’s just time we get a lady in the White House as president. And I think she’ll do a marvelous job.”Clinton supporter Gladys Johnson, of Richmond, said she was excited about the potential to elect the first female president. “Our country is in bad shape,” said Johnson, 83. “It’s just time we get a lady in the White House as president. And I think she’ll do a marvelous job.”
Maria Cardona, 57, a day-care worker from El Salvador voting in Herndon, said that Clinton “has a good heart.” “The Democrats have a more human feeling than the Republicans for immigrants, whether they have papers or not,” she added. Maria Cardona, 57, a day-care worker from Herndon who immigrated from El Salvador, said Clinton “has a good heart.” “The Democrats have a more human feeling than the Republicans for immigrants, whether they have papers or not,” she added.
But some Clinton voters were more resigned than enthused. But some Clinton voters approached the polls with resignation, viewing the former secretary of state and first lady as merely the best of bad options. “I don’t really like anybody,” said Nick Mohler, 53, of Loudoun County, who said he went with Clinton because he thinks she has a better chance than Sanders at succeeding with a Republican-dominated Congress. “I’m holding my nose this election.”
“I don’t really like anybody,” said Nick Mohler, 53, of Loudoun County, who said he went with Clinton because he thinks she has a better chance than Sanders at succeeding with a Republican-dominated Congress. “I’m holding my nose this election.” [Clinton coasts in Virginia; Trump and Rubio battle it out]
Several Democratic voters similarly described Sanders as a likable but unrealistic candidate. Others saw him as a breath of fresh air. Several Democratic voters described Sanders as a likable but unrealistic candidate. Others saw him as a breath of fresh air.
“His ideas are to treat the common man well. And as a common man, I like that,” said Don Rawlings, 57, also a Loudoun voter.“His ideas are to treat the common man well. And as a common man, I like that,” said Don Rawlings, 57, also a Loudoun voter.
Jaime Urteaga, 41, a realtor from Peru in diverse Centreville, also took the plunge for Sanders. He considers himself a Republican, but thinks “the Republicans have gone crazy.” He said he understood that some Americans feel they are “losing their country,” but said that Trump represents “something close to fascism.” Jaime Urteaga, 41, a realtor from Centreville who was born in Peru, took the plunge for Sanders. He usually considers himself a Republican, but thinks “the Republicans have gone crazy.” He said he understood that some Americans feel they are “losing their country,” but added that Trump represents “something close to fascism.”
Arlington resident Casey Stahl, 26, said he will support Clinton in the general election, reluctantly, but voted for Rubio in the primary because his main goal is to block Trump from the Republican nomination. More than a few Democrats who expressed a similar fear of Trump said their concerns drove them to vote on the Republican ballot.
Arlington resident Casey Stahl, 26, said he will support Clinton in the general election, reluctantly, but voted for Rubio on Tuesday in hopes of blocking Trump from the Republican nomination.
“There are plenty of candidates I’d like to oppose, but choosing one I’d like to support is harder,” said Stahl, who works for a defense contractor.“There are plenty of candidates I’d like to oppose, but choosing one I’d like to support is harder,” said Stahl, who works for a defense contractor.
Norfolk city employee and Clinton supporter Jessica Dennis likewise cast her ballot for Rubio — believing that by doing so, she could help stop Trump. He “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.Norfolk city employee and Clinton supporter Jessica Dennis likewise cast her ballot for Rubio — believing that by doing so, she could help stop Trump. He “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.
Norfolk’s Sherri Goldman, a Clinton supporter, said those kind of shenanigans were foolish. Sherri Goldman, a Clinton supporter who also lives in Norfolk, said those kind of shenanigans were foolish. “One thing I’ve learned in my 60 years is you can’t take one vote for granted, you really can’t,” she said. “I lived in an area where seven votes separated the candidates for mayor.”
“One thing I’ve learned in my 60 years is you can’t take one vote for granted, you really can’t,” she said. “I lived in an area where seven votes separated the candidates for mayor.” Goldman was one of several Clinton voters who said they were motivated by dread of a Trump presidency — a concern echoed by many of the Muslim voters who turned out in force in Northern Virginia.
Goldman was one of many Clinton voters who said they were motivated by fear of a Trump presidency — a concern echoed by many of the Muslim voters who turned out in force in Northern Virginia.
[Dvorak: Trump’s bigotry is driving Muslims to the polls][Dvorak: Trump’s bigotry is driving Muslims to the polls]
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. Mohammed Khan, a 49-year-old transport service worker from Ashburn, said he was afraid Trump would “shut down all the mosques in America” if he became president.
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. 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 he 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. “The radical views of a leader can have a powerful effect on people who are already angry. We have seen it in history,” Huruse said.
Officials at several mosques in the region, especially the All Dulles Area Muslim Society (ADAMS) in Sterling, said they had set up phone banks last weekend and spoken at community forums, urging Muslims to vote and emphasizing that even this primary contest could be decisive. Officials at several mosques in the region, especially the All Dulles Area Muslim Society in Sterling, said they had set up phone banks last weekend and spoken at community forums, urging Muslims to vote and emphasizing that even this primary contest could be decisive.
“People are very excited now. This is the first time many will vote in a primary, including me,” Sayed Ashraf, a community engagement volunteer at ADAMS. “People are very excited now,” said Sayed Ashraf, a community engagement volunteer at the mosque. “This is the first time many will vote in a primary, including me.”
Pamela Constable, Antonio Olivo, Fenit Nirappil, Jenna Portnoy, Patricia Sullivan and Laura Vozzella contributed to this report.Pamela Constable, Antonio Olivo, Fenit Nirappil, Jenna Portnoy, Patricia Sullivan and Laura Vozzella contributed to this report.