Trump crushes Rubio in Florida, wins Illinois, North Carolina

GOP presidential front-runner Donald Trump crushed Marco Rubio in Florida Tuesday, easily winning the Sunshine State and its 99 delegates. 

The state was the biggest prize of the night, and Trump was declared the winner immediately after the last polls in the state closed. Florida is one of a handful of winner-take-all contests in the Republican race.

{mosads}With 96 percent of precincts reporting, Trump had taken 46 percent of the vote compared to 27 percent for Rubio, and 7 percent each for John Kasich and Ted Cruz.

It was part of another big night for the billionaire businessman, who also earned victories in Illinois and North Carolina.

He was defeated in Ohio by Kasich in what was a must-win for the state’s governor. In Missouri, he and Cruz were locked in a tight contest. 

Overall, the results were sure to add to Trump’s already large delegate lead. He is closing in on half of the 1,237 delegates he needs to clinch the GOP nomination. 

Rubio announced the suspension of his campaign minutes after the final polls closed, saying it was clear that now was not his time to run for president. 

On the way out, Rubio took one last shot at Trump.

“I ask the American people — do not give into the fear, do not give in to the frustration,” he said. “We can disagree about public policy, we can disagree vibrantly and passionately, but we are a hopeful people.”