Trump was expected to carry the state, though he was closely trailed by John Kasich, Marco Rubio, and Jeb Bush in many polls.
The victory offers Trump a chance to save face after a loss in the Iowa caucuses. While Ted Cruz won with 28% of the vote, receiving 8 delegates, Trump came in second with 24% of the vote and 7 delegates.
"It wasn’t a loss, I came in second," Trump said, following the results. "But my second-place finish, which was substantially second place – I mean, Rubio wasn’t that close – and my second-place finish – which, again, I saw was first place – but my second-place finish had more votes than anybody in the history of that whole thing’s history – that includes everybody – other than Cruz."
— Olivia Nuzzi (@Olivianuzzi) February 10, 2016
Earlier in the day, Ohio Governor John Kasich celebrated an early victory after winning the state’s first primary vote in Dixville Notch.
The candidates will continue to South Carolina later this month, with the second primary on February 20. The second caucus will follow on February 23 in Nevada.
