Donald Trump Wins Mississippi GOP Primary

Real estate mogul Donald Trump easily won the Mississippi Republican primary on Tuesday, continuing a streak of victories across Dixie.

Trump has so far won primaries in Kentucky, Louisiana, Georgia and South Carolina, all states where his promise to bring jobs back from overseas to the United States resonates with people.

Trump held a rally Monday in Madison, Mississippi, where he said, "Christianity is being chipped away at in this country," and promised to defend Christmas should he be elected president.

Mississippi has an open primary, which means that voters need not be registered Republicans to vote in the GOP primary. The same applies for Democrats.

This scenario likely aided Trump, whose controversial candidacy has garnered support from diverse segments of the population. Trump's campaign has so far been characterized by nativist and xenophobic themes, which have appealed to rural voters, low-income whites and those without a college degree.

But during an interview Monday with the Jackson Clarion-Ledger, Trump talked up his ability to connect with African-American voters, who make up nearly 40 percent of Mississippi residents.

“I’ve had a great relationship with African-Americans. I’ve employed many, many over the years — thousands. They’re great workers, great people. They have had such a tremendous relationship with me," Trump said. "The numbers that I have with the African-Americans are incredible."

Earlier in the week, Trump won the endorsement of Charles Evers, the brother of slain civil rights leader Medgar Evers. A longtime Republican, Evers said he admired Trump's business acumen, and hadn't "seen any proof of him being a racist."

Mississippi's Republican governor, Phil Bryant, on Monday endorsed Texas Sen. Ted Cruz.

Mississippi awards 40 Republican delegates proportionally.