Trump, Cruz Turn Eyes Toward Pivotal Primaries
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HANOVERTON, Ohio (CBSMiami/AP) — At a breakneck pace, the Republican candidates vying to be their party's nominee have been making campaign stops in the states holding primary's Tuesday.
Texas Senator Ted Cruz, who is polling third in Florida, spent his day in Illinois.
"All across the state of Illinois and all across this country, people are waking up," said Cruz.
Cruz is hoping to secure most of the 69 delegates in that state and he continues to take aim at Donald Trump in rallies and press events.
"If we stand together as one, we will win this nomination and we will beat Donald Trump," said Cruz.
After a rally in Boca Raton on Sunday, during which police escorted out a few protesters, Trump spent Monday morning in North Carolina, in a public interview with former New Jersey Governor and former primary foe, Chris Christie.
At times protesters could be heard yelling out during the event but the rally did not turn violent.
Trump then booked it on over to Tampa still trying to energize voters in Florida despite polls showing him with a substantial lead over Florida Senator Marco Rubio.
He was introduced by Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi.
"My mom is with Donald Trump and so am I," said Bondi.
Former Vice-Presidential Candidate Sarah Palin also stumped for Trump.
The primaries could determine whether Trump wins the GOP nomination without a contested summer convention.
Perhaps most critical to that equation is Tuesday's winner-take-all contest in Ohio, where the real estate mogul and the popular governor, John Kasich, have intensified their focus on one another — Trump calling his rival "a baby" and Kasich suggesting Trump and the violence at some of his rallies represent a "dark side" of American society.
Kasich continues to be absent in Florida.
Besides Ohio, candidates are readying their closing arguments in Missouri and North Carolina with the total number of delegates at stake Tuesday accounting for more than a quarter of the 1,237 necessary for nomination.
Cruz argues that only he can keep Trump from reaching the required majority, while Rubio tries merely to remain relevant, hoping his home-state voters defy the polls and give him justification to extend his candidacy.
Back in Florida, Governor Rick Scott and former governor Jeb Bush have yet to endorse anyone ahead of tomorrow's primary.
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