Two hours left in GOP Kansas Caucus. Looks like turnout is going to be high
Kansas Republicans find long lines, enthusiasm at caucus sites across the state
The state’s Republicans met at more than 100 sites to cast ballots for their party’s presidential nomination
The caucuses were limited to registered Republicans, and a photo ID was required
Three major candidates campaigned in the state in the closing hours before the caucuses
Long lines greeted thousands of Kansas Republicans Saturday as caucus sites opened across the state under brisk but comfortable skies.
The wait easily exceeded an hour at the Shawnee Mission East caucus in Johnson County. Other caucuses were less crowded, but business was still brisk.
“I don’t mind at all,” said Syd Taylor of Prairie Village as he waited in line. “I want to to hear what other people have to stay.” He said he planned to cast his ballot for Ohio Gov. John Kasich.
The GOP operated caucuses at more than 100 sites across the state — and one in St. Louis, where Wichita State basketball fans gathered for a tournament. Registered members of the party can cast secret presidential preference ballots between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.
GOP voters backed different candidates, but virtually all criticized the nasty tone of the campaign.
“It’s the most disgusting campaign I’ve ever seen,” said Debra Miner of Overland Park, who planned to vote for Donald Trump. “I know it can get bad, but this is far beyond that. All of them.”
Trump held a rally at a Wichita caucus site Saturday morning, before the voting began. “We’re no longer going to be the stupid country,” he told a raucous crowd gathered for the speech.
Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas was in Wichita for a rally at the same site about an hour later. Sen. Marco Rubio of Florida barnstormed Kansas Friday, ending his day in Overland Park.
The presence of all three candidates in the closing hours of the caucus season suggested strategists believed the state was in play, and the outcome too close to call. Trump canceled a planned speech at a conservative conference in Washington, D.C., to campaign in the state.
Forty convention delegates will be proportionally awarded on the basis of the caucus results, which should be announced in the early evening.
Kansas Democrats were to caucus later Saturday afternoon, starting at 3 p.m. Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton faces Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont in a race also considered close.
There are 33 delegates at stake in the state, awarded proportionally.
Republicans are also holding caucuses in Maine and Kentucky, while Democrats are caucusing in Nebraska as well as Kansas.
Louisiana holds a presidential primary in both parties Saturday.
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Kansas Republicans find long lines, enthusiasm at caucus sites across the state
She's going to whip his ass in NO, and keep it close in the other two states to basically get the same amount of delegates as Bernie. There is no way Bernie is catching up, so no reason for the super delegates to switch to him.
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