Donald Trump inches closer to GOP presidential nominee after Super Tuesday

President Biden and former President Trump respond after voters in more than a dozen states went to the polls for Super Tuesday. And, after winning one race last night, Nikki Haley is expected to suspend her campaign today. These stories and more highlight The Morning Rundown for Wednesday, March 6, 2024.

Donald Trump moves closer to being GOP nominee after Super Tuesday wins

In a pivotal night of primary contests, former President Donald Trump and President Joe Biden made significant strides toward their respective party nominations, each securing a substantial number of delegates on Super Tuesday. This development sets the stage for a potential rematch in the upcoming November presidential election.

Super Tuesday, the most significant day in the primary race with contests in 16 states and one territory, saw both Trump and Biden dominating the field. Among the key victories, both candidates won in California, Texas, Virginia, and North Carolina, which were among the states with the highest number of delegates up for grabs.

LIVE: Donald Trump reacts to Super Tuesday results https://t.co/7dCvbCvsxQ

— Reuters (@Reuters) March 6, 2024

NBC News projected Trump as the victor in Virginia, securing its 48 delegates, while Fox News announced Trump’s win in the Texas Republican primary and Biden’s win in the Democratic primary in the same state. CBS News also reported Trump’s win in the North Carolina primary, with Biden winning the Democratic primary there. Additionally, ABC News projected Trump’s victory in the Minnesota Republican primary.

With 850 delegates at stake in the GOP race on Super Tuesday, Trump’s wins brought him closer to becoming the Republican nominee. Currently holding a total of 1,057 delegates, Trump is inching closer to the 1,215 needed to clinch the GOP nomination, a goal he could potentially reach next week.

Celebrating his victories, Trump spoke to supporters at Mar-a-Lago, reflecting on the significance of Super Tuesday and expressing optimism for the future, saying, “Well, thank you very much. They call it Super Tuesday for a reason. This is a big one. And they tell me, the pundits and otherwise, that there’s never been one like this, there’s never been anything so conclusive. This was an amazing, an amazing night, an amazing day. It’s been an incredible period of time in our country’s history. It’s been sad in so many ways, but I think it’s going to be inspiring because we’re going to do something that, frankly, nobody has been able to do for a long time.”

Nikki Haley wins Vermont Primary on Super Tuesday

Super Tuesday brought unexpected outcomes in the race for the Republican nomination, as former President Donald Trump did not secure victories across the board. Nikki Haley, Trump’s remaining Republican contender, achieved a surprising win in Vermont, marking her second victory this election cycle following a win in Washington, D.C.’s primary.

But it was not enough. According to multiple reports, Haley will suspend her campaign today. She is expected to make the official announcement around 10 a.m. ET in Charleston, South Carolina. 

People know that there’s a better way forward: we can get back to normal and focus on the issues that matter, like fiscal discipline and peace through strength. pic.twitter.com/5hF7FsPwv6

— Nikki Haley (@NikkiHaley) March 5, 2024

In Vermont, Haley garnered 50 percent of the vote, outpacing Trump, who received 46 percent. The state had 17 delegates available for the Republican candidates.

Following the results of the night, a spokesperson for Haley, the former United Nations Ambassador, released a statement addressing the division within the Republican Party: “Unity is not achieved by simply claiming ‘we’re united.’ Today, in state after state, there remains a large block of Republican primary voters who are expressing deep concerns about Donald Trump. That is not the unity our party needs for success.”

Biden wins all states on Super Tuesday, loses one race

On Super Tuesday, President Joe Biden achieved a dominant performance in the Democratic primaries, securing victories in every state with over 80 percent of the vote in many of them. However, his sweep was not without opposition, as a significant protest vote emerged in some states. Activists urged voters to select the ‘uncommitted’ option as a protest against Biden’s handling of the war in Gaza, notably in Minnesota, where the uncommitted vote reached 19 percent.

President Biden takes victory lap after Super Tuesday results https://t.co/jaEPnD1S1M pic.twitter.com/t8am8obiAA

— The Hill (@thehill) March 6, 2024

As the results rolled in, President Biden issued a statement, turning his attention to his likely opponent in November, former President Donald Trump. Biden’s statement outlined the stakes of the upcoming election, saying, “Tonight’s results leave the American people with a clear choice: Are we going to keep moving forward or will we allow Donald Trump to drag us backwards into the chaos, division, and darkness that defined his term in office.”

Despite his widespread success, Biden experienced a setback, losing the Democratic caucuses in American Samoa to entrepreneur Jason Palmer. Palmer won with 56 percent of the vote, although the total vote count was small, with less than 100 votes between the candidates. This surprising outcome highlighted the diverse political landscape and the challenges facing Biden as he prepares for the general election.

Schiff, Garvey to compete in November for Feinstein’s seat

During Super Tuesday, alongside the presidential primaries, voters also turned their attention to several key races, including the competition in California to succeed the late Democratic Senator Dianne Feinstein. In a unique twist, the state placed all candidates on a single ballot, irrespective of party affiliation, leading to a diverse field of contenders.

Democratic Congressman Adam Schiff and Republican Steve Garvey, a former professional baseball player known for his time with the Los Angeles Dodgers and San Diego Padres, emerged as the top two vote-getters. These results set the stage for a November face-off for the coveted Senate seat.

Garvey, addressing his supporters on Tuesday night, remained optimistic despite skepticism about his chances in the general election. He invoked a classic sports mantra, suggesting that despite predictions of failure, “it’s not over until it’s over.”

Meanwhile, Schiff’s victory celebration in Hollywood encountered unexpected interruptions from protesters.

Dartmouth men’s basketball team votes for unionization

In a significant development for college athletics, the Dartmouth men’s basketball team voted overwhelmingly in favor of unionization on Tuesday, with a 13 to 2 vote. This move signals a groundbreaking shift towards establishing the first labor union for college athletes.

Minutes ago, the Dartmouth men's basketball team voted to unionize. As I argued over the weekend – unionization is good for them, Dartmouth, and the future of college sports. https://t.co/WVhHlZI3VE via @opinion

— Adam Minter (@AdamMinter) March 5, 2024

The players at Dartmouth have highlighted their unique position as both students and campus workers, advocating for their rights and representation. Their decision to unionize has led them to be represented by the Service Employees International Union Local 560, which also represents other workers at Dartmouth.

However, Dartmouth College has expressed opposition to this move, maintaining that its athletes should be considered students first, with athletics being an integral part of their educational experience. This stance has led Dartmouth to appeal to the National Labor Relations Board, seeking to overturn a decision from last month that classified the basketball players as employees, thereby entitled to unionize.

Booth from ‘The Sopranos’ final scene sells on eBay for $82,600

A memorable piece of television history, the iconic booth from the final scene of the HBO series “The Sopranos,” has fetched a staggering $82,600 on eBay. This sale marks a significant moment for fans of the series, nearly 17 years after the episode first aired, continuing the legacy of one of TV’s most talked-about finales.

The booth, where the Soprano family shared a meal while Journey’s “Don’t Stop Believin'” played in the background, sparked a bidding war on eBay, attracting 238 bids. The auction included the seats, table, and divider wall from the scene, though it was noted that the jukebox seen in the series was not part of the sale.

The winning bidder now has the responsibility of picking up this piece of TV nostalgia from a New Jersey ice cream shop, adding a tangible piece of “The Sopranos” to their collection.