U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz’s (R-Texas) victory in Lincoln County March 5 was reflective of his strong showing statewide. Cruz received 325 of 746 votes cast in the County Presidential Caucus held at Wiscasset MIddle High School. Cruz received 43.5 percent of the Lincoln County vote and defeated New York billionaire Donald Trump, who received 270 votes or 36.1 percent. Ohio Gov. John Kasich received 92 Lincoln County votes for 12.3 percent, and U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio of Florida garnered 50 county votes for 6.7 percent.

The Lincoln County totals nearly mirrored the statewide results. Cruz won the Maine Caucus with 45.8 percent of the vote. His victory earned him 12 of Maine’s 23 delegates. Trump received 32.6 percent, earning him nine delegates. Kasich tallied 12.2 percent and earned two delegates. And Rubio received 6.6 percent, but no delegates.

Trump entered the Maine Caucus leading in delegates with 384 and winning 10 of the 16 contests. He also received the endorsement of Maine Gov. Paul LePage, who urged county Republicans to support a businessman for president. LePage described Trump as someone who is successful, a tough negotiator, and, like himself, “a little brash.”

“He’s not a politician. We need someone who understands finances. That’s the reason I’m supporting Trump,” LePage said. “We’re already $19 trillion in debt. We need someone who won’t put our children and grandchildren further in debt.”

All the signs pointed toward another Trump victory Saturday. His commanding lead in the national polls, a high voter turnout — approximately four times larger in Lincoln County and three times greater statewide than in 2008 — had newcomers and established political veterans supporting Trump.

But Cruz was the one scoring the upset victory. Southport resident Smith Climo voted in the three previous Presidential caucuses. He favors Cruz’s “outsider status” within the U.S. Senate. Climo called the Texas senator “a man of principle and honor.”

“Voting isn’t just a privilege, it’s a responsibility,” he said. “We have to pick the right person because the last eight years has been a debacle. The country is plummeting further in debt, and Cruz is the man to turn it around.”

Climo believes GOP voters can’t afford to choose the wrong candidate in 2016, and that Cruz is the superior candidate to Trump.

“He is a solid constitutionalist. You don’t have to wonder where he stands. He’s consistent,” he said. “Trump has been on every side of every issue for 20 years. He’s supported Democrats and Republicans. I’m not sure we’re getting the real deal with him, but with Ted, I’m confident.”

In Boothbay, Trump had the support of caucus newcomers and veterans. Kimberly Hilgendorf, 41, attended her first Presidential caucus. She chose a candidate who reminded her of Gov. LePage.

“I’m pledging my support for Trump,” Hilgendorf said. “He’s straight forward and his issues are important to me. Governor LePage has done a good job. And I think Donald Trump will do a good job for America.”

Boothbay GOP town chairman Dawn Gilbert, 73, has been active in GOP politics since the Reagan years. Over the years, she has been a strong supporter of establishment-type Republican candidates like Bill Cohen, Olympia Snowe, John McKernan and Susan Collins.

But in 2016, she is siding with “The Donald.” At first, she wasn’t for Trump, but now, Gilbert supports him wholeheartedly.

“I guess I’m becoming more anti-establishment,” Gilbert said. “I’m really upset with the way things are going in Congress. Washington, D.C. is not taking care of business. The President surely isn’t doing anything. I agree with Trump on a lot of things like buying insurance across state lines.”

For Boothbay resident Debbie Rush, 69, supporting Trump is simple.

“He’s not a politician. He’s a businessman,” she said.

Lincoln County GOP Chairman Stuart Smith believed the heavy turnout will lead to Republican victories in November.

“We expected 200 and 700 showed up,” he said. “It shows people are ready for change and a new direction.”

Maine was one of four Presidential caucuses or primaries held March 5. Cruz won in Kansas. Trump won Kentucky and Louisiana. Trump continues his delegate lead with 384. Trailing him are Cruz, with 300; Rubio, 151; and Kasich, 37. A total of 1,237 delegates are needed to secure the nomination.