US Presidential Election: What happened on 'Super Tuesday'

Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump were the big winners on 'Super Tuesday' (PA)

Super Tuesday, as its known, is one of the most significant days in the campaign trail – with lots of voters, states and delegates up for grabs.

As it comes to a close, here’s a look at what the day taught us about the presidential battle.

1. It looks like a two-horse race for the White House.

Coffee mugs for sale with the images of Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton and Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump sit side by side on a shelf of a souvenir stand at the corner of Constitution Avenue NW and 17th Street NW in Washington — (Carolyn Kaster/AP)

Trump and Clinton both took major steps towards claiming their parties’ presidential nominations. Clinton won seven of 11 states, and Trump did at least as well (the count is still on). Although state primaries and caucuses will continue for several months more, Trump and Clinton are the obvious front-runners – upping the likelihood of a showdown between the starkly different candidates.

2. Clinton is eyeing up Trump as competition, ignoring her Democratic rival.

Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton reacts to supporters as she arrives to speak at her Super Tuesday election night rally in Miami — (Gerald Herbert/AP)

Bernie Sanders might also have his eye on the prize, but Clinton chose to focus on Trump as she addressed supporters during a victory rally in Miami. “It’s clear tonight that the stakes in this election have never been higher and the rhetoric we’re hearing on the other side has never been lower,” she said.

3. Trump also foresees a contest with Clinton.

Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump, accompanied by New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, left, takes questions from members of the media during a news conference on Super Tuesday primary election night in the White and Gold Ballroom at The Mar-A-Lago Club in Palm Beach — (Andrew Harnik/AP)

Casting Clinton as part of the political establishment that has failed Americans, Trump told a news conference: “She’s been there for so long. If she hasn’t straightened it out by now, she’s not going to straighten it out in the next four years.”

4. Cruz wants his competition to step aside to fight Trump.

Republican presidential candidate, Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, speaks during an election night watch party Tuesday — (David J. Phillip/AP)

Conservative senator Ted Cruz has won in four states, and is calling for the non-Trump-supporting Republicans to unite. He urged Marco Rubio and other candidates to drop out of the race. “I ask you to prayerfully consider our coming together, united,” he said.

5. But Rubio’s race is just getting started.

Republican presidential candidate, Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., smiles at a campaign rally — (Alan Diaz/AP)

Florida Senator Rubio scored his first victory on Tuesday in the Minnesota caucuses. Numerous Republican officeholders had promoted him as the party’s best alternative to Trump, but he’s currently 200 delegates behind. This could all change on March 15 in the Florida primary – his home state – where the winner will claim all the delegates.

6. Sanders is giving Clinton a tough run.

Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., laughs as he arrives with his wife Jane Sanders, and his son Levi Sanders to a primary night rally in Essex Junction — (Jacquelyn Martin/AP)

Bernie Sanders, the democratic socialist who wants a “political revolution”, gave Clinton a tougher-than-expected challenge. He won four states on Super Tuesday (Colorado, Minnesota, Oklahoma and Vermont). But he’s still a way behind his Democratic rival, as Clinton holds at least 1,005 delegates compared with his 373.

7. The candidates inched closer to the target.

Number of delegates available on Super Tuesday

Clinton won the Democratic vote in Alabama, Georgia, Tennessee, Virginia, Arkansas, Texas, Massachusetts and American Samoa.

Trump was the victorious Republican in Alabama, Georgia, Massachusetts, Tennessee, Virginia, Arkansas and Vermont. Cruz scooped Texas, Oklahoma and Alaska for the Republicans, with his rival Rubio winning in Minnesota.

Sanders won the Democratic votes in Vermont, Oklahoma, Minnesota and Colorado.

8. Trump thinks he’s a unifier.

Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump waves to attendees during a campaign stop at the Signature Flight Hangar at Port-Columbus International Airport, Tuesday — (John Minchillo/AP)

Trump said he had “expanded” his party and claimed he was responsible for higher voter turnout in the primary states. He also claimed to be a “unifier”, although realised some might find it hard to believe.

“I think we’re going to be more inclusive, I think we’re going to be more unified, and I think we’re going to win in November,” he announced at a news conference in his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida.

9. The gap between the rivals is widening.

Number of delegates each main candidate has won so far.

Delegates are individuals who represent their states at national party conventions. The candidate who gains a majority of their party’s delegates during the primaries wins the nomination. Clinton and Trump are clearly in the lead to reach the delegate target for their parties, but Cruz and Sanders could catch up.

The race for nomination will resume on Saturday with primary elections and caucuses in Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine and Nebraska.

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