LUBBOCK, Texas -
It's a strike for Donald Trump, and John Kasich was the last pin to fall.
Trump does still need just less than 200 delegates to officially clinch the nomination. More than 500 are still up for grabs in remaining contests.
Lubbock County Republican Party Chairman Carl Tepper is confident his party will now unite.
"When they see him turn his venom, if you will, toward Hillary Clinton, I think you're going to see a lot of people reassessing their beliefs," Tepper said. "I think they're going to get over their Ted Cruz loss and lick their wounds and start listening."
Political analyst Seth McKee agrees. "I think there will be a lot of consolidation because to most Republicans, yes, they do think the alternative is worse than Trump," McKee said.
McKee didn't initially think Trump could win the nomination, but the tides turned.
"That became apparent to me on Super Tuesday when he did so well across such different Republican demographics, in terms of these different states," McKee said.
And now focus shifts to potential running mates. Trump said he's looking for someone from the political route because he already has the business route "covered."
"Ohio is always a must for the Republicans in presidential elections. They have to win it, and it's the second biggest battleground behind Florida," McKee said. "I think that Kasich can carry that state for Donald Trump."
Meanwhile, the Clinton campaign is hoping to capitalize on Trump's high unfavorability ratings.
"I invite a lot of the Republicans and Independents who I've been seeing on the campaign trail, who've been reaching out to me, I invite them to join with Democrats," Clinton said.
McKee says he thinks Clinton will be the victor in November, "given the demographics of the country," but Tepper says not so fast.
"It's been an exciting year and I think it's just starting," Tepper said. "I think this summer is going to be a knock down, drag out campaign for the president of the United States."
