Midlands voters on the Republican presidential primary

Midlands-area voters comment about Saturday’s Republican presidential primary:

“(I voted) for Trump. I feel that we need more of a business person in there at this point, with a business mind. I don’t agree with everything he says or does, but I don’t agree with any of the others. This country needs to get back on track with its debt situation.”

– Dawn Hoover, 40, of Honors Court in Red Bank, an office construction manager who frequently votes in Republican primaries

“(Cruz) stands for everything I stand for. I think he is a strong Christian man and he’ll be strong in foreign affairs and economics.”

– Eileen Pikus, 56, of Cumberland Drive near Lexington, a homemaker who regularly votes in Republican primaries

“I voted for Ben Carson. First of all, most of all, I just didn’t want Donald Trump to win. But otherwise, (Carson) is a really smart person. I like his values and what he believes in.”

– Megan Baker, 19, of Kingshead Court in Irmo, a Midlands Tech student and first-time voter

“I voted to send (Kasich) out of here into the other states with a high enough percentage to create a lane for sane, rational Republicans. I am historically a Democrat. I’ve only crossed over and voted in the Republican Party these two times. Each time it was to try to shape who the candidate would be so I would have a choice between two sane and sensible candidates.”

– Joe Underwood, 66, of Trenholm Road in Columbia, an attorney who usually votes in Democratic primaries

“(I voted for) Rubio. I’m pretty sure Trump is a neofascist because that’s the next step past super-conservative Republican. Cruz would probably create a religious state. Kasich doesn’t have a prayer, and I’m not sure — unfortunately — Bush does either. So it’s the lesser of three evils.”

– Bill West, 52, of MacGregor Drive in Columbia, a certified public accountant, who votes regularly in Republican primaries

“I voted for Bush. He was governor of Florida twice and I think he’ll maintain the nation as it should be. His dad was a good president – and his brother.”

– Lynn Conley, 69, of Old Chapin Road in the Lexington area, a retiree who votes regularly in Republican primaries

“I support the wall (that Trump is planning). I support that he's going to put a tax on big companies ... moving out of the United States. I like his business history. He starts his own businesses and he's successful when he does.”

– Zach Zeagler, 19, of Kyzer Road in Red Bank, a Midlands Tech student and first-time voter

“I voted for Ted Cruz. I like his stance on foreign relations and the way that he has expressed that he would approach it if he was elected. I also like his immigration ideas.”

– David Cobb, 60, of Old Cherokee Road in the Lexington area, a certified public accountant who frequently votes in Republican primaries

This story was originally published February 20, 2016 at 6:34 PM with the headline "Midlands voters on the Republican presidential primary."