Hamilton County voters got in line with a 2024 rematch of the 2020 election Tuesday, picking former President Donald Trump on the Republican side and President Joe Biden for the Democrats.
As votes rolled in Tuesday night, Biden won the county's delegates without opposition.
With no competition on the Democratic presidential ballot, most of those showing up at the polls were there to participate in the Republican contest. With most of the votes counted, Trump led his only remaining competitor, former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley, by a 2-to-1 margin in the county.
"I vote for everything," Donna Peters said after voting in Sale Creek. "Then we can complain if we want to."
(READ MORE: Chattanooga-area primary election results)
'Again and again'
The former president had many fans at four polling places visited by the Chattanooga Times Free Press on Tuesday.
"I'm ready to make America great again and again," Darrell Morgan said after voting in Georgetown.
Several voters said they felt Trump handled immigration at the U.S.-Mexico border better than Biden. Many cited that as a top reason to vote for Trump.
(READ MORE: Early voting turnout down 31% in Hamilton County compared with previous presidential primaries)
"I think Americans should come first — it's America, already," Deana Corter, voting in Sale Creek, said. "It's alright if they come across the border, but they need to be legal and screened."
Biden reached a deal last month with some of the most conservative Republicans in Congress for a package to bolster border enforcement, process asylum requests more quickly and open new avenues for legal immigration, but Trump pushed "Make America Great Again" lawmakers to block the deal to keep it from benefiting Biden during an election year.
(READ MORE: Judge allows blocked Catoosa GOP primary candidates back on the ballot)
Eliezer Ortiz, voting in East Ridge, said Trump's personality is a factor for him.
"He's not a politician," Ortiz said. "He's got a big mouth, he talks more than what he should, but he did wonders when he was president."
Another East Ridge voter, Eric Brackett, agreed.
"He's a maverick," Brackett said of Trump. "Not your stereotypical politician."
Biden
About 1 in 4 voters Tuesday cast Democratic ballots.
Candace Brown, who voted at the Tyner polling place, said she primarily came to support Circuit Court judge candidate Kisha Cheeks, who ran unopposed in the Democratic judge primary. She also voted for Biden, she said.
"It was an easy vote," Brown said after casting her ballot.
Another voter at the Tyner polling place said she voted for Biden because she believes he is the lesser of two evils.
Aside from one contested school board seat in a downtown Chattanooga district, Democratic voters faced races with one or zero candidates running.
"My ballot was very short," Kerry Dayhuff said after voting in Georgetown. "I was a little disappointed, honestly."
Dayhuff filled in the bubble next to Biden's name.
"I'm just here to support my party," she said.
'On the fence'
Lewis Anthony said after voting in Georgetown with his 7-year-old son in tow that he had been on the fence.
"I like what Nikki Haley says, and I'm afraid of what's going on with Trump, but I think he's still got a chance," Anthony said.
Anthony said he worries about Trump being tied up in multiple court cases, which makes him and his future unpredictable. He said Haley may have a better shot at the presidency in the future, but not this year.
Haley has lost to Trump in all but two contests so far this year — Washington, D.C., in its first primary election, and Vermont on Tuesday.
Diane Motsay, in Sale Creek, said she would have voted for Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, but he dropped out of the race earlier this year. She voted for Trump, as she had in past elections, she said.
"Basically, I liked his policies the first time," Motsay said after casting her ballot.
Some cited both of the front runners' ages — Biden at 81 and Trump at 77 — as drawbacks.
One Republican voter, leaving the poll at the East Ridge Community Center, said she cast an uncommitted vote for president because she wasn't 100% sold on Trump or Haley. She agrees with many of Trump's positions, she said, but thinks he is too arrogant. Had DeSantis still been running, she said she may have voted for him.
Contact Ellen Gerst at egerst@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6319.