Heavy Turnout at Faribault Republican Caucus

The line of people stretched from the cafeteria all the way past the entrance doors down the hallway at Faribault High School on Tuesday night.

Republican Party organizers were clearly not ready for the onslaught of people and were happy with the turnout.

One of those in attendance said he had been attending the GOP Caucus in Faribault for more than 30 years and he thought it was the largest crowd he had seen.

Young and old alike attended. Many people told me it was their first time going to a caucus. A number of people did leave after taking the presidential vote by precinct. The total votes cast in the presidential choice was 406 in Faribault.

District 24 Senate candidates Janet Moline and John Jasinski talked to the packed high school cafeteria about their desires to go to St. Paul.

Moline said she was running on a platform of "fiscal responsibility, constitutionally limited government and individual liberty." Jasinski said Minnesota taxes needed to come down "so businesses stay here and there needs to be welfare reform."

Rice County and Faribault results in the presidential ballot:

• Ted Cruz: 377 votes, 139 in Faribault
• Marco Rubio: 348 votes, 96 in Faribault
• Donald Trump: 262 votes, 105 in Faribault
• Ben Carson: 125 votes, 63 in Faribault
• John Kasich: 49 votes, 13 in Faribault

Four write-ins in the county, including one for Rand Paul in Faribault.