Final Election Results: John Kasich Dumps Trump In Ohio Republican Primary

Governor John Kasich won the Ohio primary election on Super Tuesday, boasting an impressive 47% of the Republican vote-- compared to Trump's 36%, Cruz's 13%, and Rubio's 3%. 

Voters in Ohio turned out in high numbers Tuesday to reject the negative, tension-filled and occasional violent run for president by GOP frontrunner Donald Trump and give their governor, John Kasich, a campaign-saving victory that could very well lead to a brokered convention when Republicans meet back here for their national convention in July.

Kasich thanked an enthusiastic campaign crowd in Berea not long after Florida Sen. Marco Rubio dropped out of the race, leaving only Trump and Sen. Ted Cruz standing between him and the Republican nomination.

VIDEO: Kasich Vows to Secure Republican Nomination

“Gov. Kasich's positive message and proven record can overcome the Donald Trump insult machine,” he said. “With the electoral map shifting significantly in our favor, Gov. Kasich is positioned to accumulate a large share of the almost 1,000 remaining delegates and enter Cleveland in strong position to become the nominee.”

Weaver said the campaign’s internal data was showing Rubio’s voters moving to Kasich by a three-to-one margin.

“More and more supporters are coming on board as they recognize Gov. Kasich is the only candidate left who can take on Donald Trump, unite the party and win the White House in November,” Weaver added. “Only Gov. Kasich will defeat Hillary Clinton in an Electoral College landslide, sweeping in Republicans from the courthouse to the Senate. The other candidates would lose to Hillary Clinton in dramatic fashion and cost us seats in down-ballot races from California to Maine."

Case Western Reserve's political science department chair, Dr. Karen Beckwith, said Kasich's Ohio win was great news for his campaign.

"This is a major win for Governor Kasich," she said. "He will get all Ohio delegates, which is very important for the Kasich campaign."

Beckwith said she was surprised, however, that Kasich didn't come out and endorse Marco Rubio tonight in Florida before the state was called for Trump.

"I think candidates are trying to stop Donald Trump on the way to the [Republican National] Convention," she said. "I'm surprised that Kasich didn't come out to support Rubio in his home state. It would have cost him very little to support Rubio in Florida."

Trump and Kasich went into Tuesday's vote virtually tied in the polls, and the high turnout reflected the tightness of the race. Ohio has an open primary system, and several news outlets reported Democrats were voting Republican as part of an anti-Trump effort that amped up after weekend violence at his rallies.

Of that, Kasich told his supporters again that he would continue to campaign with a positive message.

"I will not take the low road to the highest office in the land," he said.

Ohio Republican Primary Election Results Updated 12:15 a.m. EST

(100% of precincts reporting):

• Donald Trump - 36%
• John Kasich - 47%
• Ted Cruz - 13%
• Marco Rubio - 2%

What Voters Are Saying

"We need to worry about us as a country and people," said Lakewood resident and Republican Travis H., who voted for Donald Trump. "We need to focus on us, kind of like when someone wants or need 'me time'. It's 'me time' for America and its people. It's time for a change that Obama couldn't produce. Maybe Trump can."

Medina county voter Nicole Scott told Patch that voting is an absolute necessity for Americans.

"Voting is not only a right and a privilege, it is also a social, cultural, environmental, and economical necessity," said Scott. "If we want to see change, it's up to us to make it happen."

Akron resident David Van Horn voted for the Ohio governor for one very specific reason:

"I voted Kasich, but mainly to keep Trump from getting it," he said. "I believe you should vote for your country, not for yourself."

• Refresh this page frequently for live Ohio Republican primary election results

• See Also: Primary Election Results in Florida, Illinois, Missouri, and North Carolina