Ron Paul Matches His Best Primary Showing in DC

Ron Paul matched his best primary showing so far, polling 8% in the District of Columbia. He earned 6% of the vote in the Maryland primary, and 5% in Virginia's. John McCain won all three primaries to solidify his grip on the Republican nomination, with the only close contest in Virginia, where he topped Huckabee 50% to 41%.

McCain won all 63 delegates in Virginia, all 16 delegates available in DC, and appears to have won most of Maryland's 37 delegates at stake today, although individual district results could give a few to Huckabee. With 82% of the vote counted in Maryland, McCain was leading Huckabee 55% to 30%. Party leaders in Virginia and Maryland are pledged to the statewide winner, but the three party leader delegates in the District of Columbia are unpledged.