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Michigan Primary Helps Set the Stage for Super Tuesday

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There are 30 Republican national convention delegates up for grabs in today’s primary. But today’s vote is about more than just delegates.

It’s also about momentum going into the next round of primaries. There are relatively few delegates at stake in the Michigan and Arizona primaries. But those two elections set the stage for Super Tuesday. Ten states will vote. 419 delegates are at stake. That’s a third of what any candidate needs to win the nomination.

This is Michigan State University political science professor Matt Grossman.

“So, there’s a lot of potential for momentum from Michigan to matter in other states,” he says.

Grossman says if there’s a big winner on Super Tuesday, that candidate could credibly claim front runner status as the Republican most likely to face President Obama on the November ballot.

Rick Pluta is Senior Capitol Correspondent for the Michigan Public Radio Network. He has been covering Michigan’s Capitol, government, and politics since 1987. His journalism background includes stints with UPI, The Elizabeth (NJ) Daily Journal, The (Pontiac, MI) Oakland Press, and WJR. He is also a lifelong public radio listener.
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