Mega Tuesday primary results: Trump and Kasich emerge victorious, as Rubio suspends campaign

Mega Tuesday, Super Tuesday 3 or whatever you want to call the 15 March primaries, there is one thing that everyone can agree on: the primaries in five states shook up the 2016 election. On the Republican side, the primaries gave a much needed boost to at least two campaigns and ended the presidential hopes of one.

Ohio Governor John Kasich nabbed his first victory in his home state, giving him the momentum he needed to continue his campaign. As expected, party frontrunner Donald Trump took home several wins, taking him one step closer to winning enough delegates to grab the Republican nomination. However, for Florida Senator Marco Rubio, a devastating loss in his home state forced him to suspend his campaign, leaving just three players in the game.

Florida (99 Delegates)

What should have been a given victory for Rubio ended up being a debilitating blow to the young senator's presidential dreams. Rubio's campaign initially claimed that he would remain in the race no matter the results of Florida's primary. However, minutes after the race was called for Trump, Rubio suspended his campaign, further narrowing the Republican field.

Florida is one of two winner-take-all states in the 15 March primaries, meaning Trump takes home all 99 delegates.

Illinois (69 Delegates)

Trump took home his third win of the night in Illinois. Unlike Florida and Ohio, Illinois is not a winner-take-all state, which means Trump will split the state's delegates with his rivals. Complete results at the time of publishing were not available, but with 97% reporting Trump earned at least 24 delegates from the Prairie State. Trump managed to beat out Texas Senator Ted Cruz by just single digits, 38.9% to 30.5%. The remaining delegates will not be allocated until all the ballots are counted.

Missouri (52 Delegates)

Missouri was a highly contested state for both candidates. With 99.9% of the votes reported, Trump led by a hair, 40.8% to Cruz's 40.7%. Despite his small, but clear lead, the Missouri primary was not called for either candidate and the state's delegates were left unallocated.

North Carolina (72 Delegates)

Trump's second win came in North Carolina, mere minutes before his victory was announced in Illinois. Like Illinois, the Tar Hell State allocates its delegates proportionally. With 99% reporting at the time of publishing, Trump took home 40.3% of the vote and 29 delegates. Cruz followed with 36.8% and 26 delegates. Kasich nabbed 12.7% and 9 delegates, while Rubio won 7.7% and only 5 delegates. Three delegates remain unallocated.

Ohio (66 Delegates)

Ohio was John Kasich's saving grace and a thorn in Trump's side. The winner-take-all state gave Kasich a much needed victory and a boost to his campaign. Kasich took the Buckeye State's 66 delegates, pushing his delegate count over 100 and ensuring he fought on another day. Trump's loss in Ohio denied him the sweeping victories he hoped for. The somewhat surprise win also added to speculation that Republicans would be headed to a contested convention in July.