Hubbard County voters attending the Super Tuesday caucuses this week showed up in large numbers to pledge their support for GOP and DFL candidates.
Ted Cruz beat out Donald Trump for the GOP nod in Hubbard County, 249-193, while the DFL supported Bernie Sanders, 295-237, over Hillary Clinton.
Marco Rubio finished third in Hubbard County with 131 votes, while Ben Carson received 68 and John Kasich, 26.
Total votes cast at the Hubbard County GOP caucuses was 667 and 541 at the DFL caucus locations.
ADVERTISEMENT
Hubbard County GOP vote totals
Park Rapids (346 total)-Cruz, 118; Trump, 110; Rubio, 70; Carson, 33; Kasich, 15
Akeley (131 total) Cruz, 41; Rubio, 35; Trump, 33; Carson, 15; Kasich, 7
Laporte (190 total) Cruz, 90; Trump, 50; Rubio, 26; Carson, 20; Kasich, 4
Hubbard County DFL vote totals
Park Rapids (201 total) Clinton, 108; Sanders, 93
Nevis (133 total) Sanders, 82; Clinton, 50; O’Malley, 1
Lake George (13 total) Clinton, 8; Sanders, 5
Laporte (53 total) Clinton, 26; Sanders, 19
ADVERTISEMENT
Helga (102 total) Sanders, 70; Clinton, 32
Rockwood (39 total) Sanders, 26; Clinton, 13
Paul Utke, chairman of the Hubbard County GOP, estimated the local turnout was three times more than two years ago.
"Attendance was way up at all the locations," he said. "People were out and about, it was nice weather, and just the environment of this year’s election cycle has people paying closer attention."
Utke said they saw a lot of first-timers register and attend the caucus which, although some may not have cast a vote, it was still encouraging to see the numbers up.
"It was good to see the young generation participating," Utke said. "We’re hoping the young folks are paying attention and make an educated vote."
DFL chairman in Hubbard County Joel Vorhes described his turnout as strong compared to 2014 due to this year the DFL will be choosing its presidential candidate.
ADVERTISEMENT
The DFL caucus location at Park Rapids High School was busy with newcomers looking to participate and learn more about the caucus process.
With higher numbers than expected at both the DFL’s high school location, as well as the GOP at Century School in Park Rapids, registration backed up a little but the political process forged on to complete the process.
Rod Nordberg, a DFL veteran in Park Rapids, was pleased to see such a great turnout and joked about the process, referring to the famous Will Rogers quote: "I am not a member of any organized political party. I am a Democrat.
People in both local camps made comments regarding how the large turnouts were influenced by Trump being the current GOP frontrunner. Whether to get the GOP caucus behind him or DFLers determined not to let the polarizing real estate mogul become the next president, it certainly does appear he’s sparked interest on both sides. He’s the "Trumpinator", one GOP attendee said.
Statewide, Rubio and Sanders claimed victories in Minnesota. Sanders won easily with 59 percent over Clinton’s 41 percent. For the GOP, Rubio won the state with 37 percent over Cruz at 28 percent and Trump at 21 percent.
