District 1 and 2 voters mirrored the state in their respective party caucuses Tuesday

as North Dakota joined 21 other states in polling party lines on Super Tuesday for our next president.

Some 332 voters turned out for District 1 at the Williston Community Library.

Barack Obama clinched a stealth lead for local District 1 and District 2 Democrats over Sen. Hillary Clinton.

After the caucus closed at the Williston Community Library, District 1's count showed Obama taking in 189 votes and Clinton drawing 135 votes. John Edwards, who dropped his candidacy, took in eight votes at the caucus site. Those coordinating the Democratic District 2 caucus site, also at the library, were elated with the level of participation. Seventy-four gave their preference for our nation's next leader.

"We doubled the number of voters from four years ago," said Bruce Anderson, chairman of the District 1 Democrats. "I think there is a strong interest in change and a strong interest in the candidates."

Overall, District 2 Democratic voters (around Williston, Crosby and Stanley) favored Obama with 128 votes. Clinton received 83 votes, and 11 votes were cast for Edwards.

"It was an excellent turnout, a lot more than 2004," said District 2 Democratic chairsperson LuAnn Casler. "In 2004, we had 195 voters. This year, we had 222."

Broken down, 74 in all participated in the District 2 Caucus at the Williston Community Library. Of these, 47 cast their ballot for Obama, Clinton received 25 votes and two voted for Edwards.

"The Williston area garnered five times as many votes this year as in 2004," commented Mike Casler, who helped District 2 Democrats register at the library site. "Four years ago, we only had 15 votes."

At Crosby, Obama edged out Clinton 40 votes to seven. Edwards received two votes from District 2 voters.

In Stanley, District 2 voters favored Obama 41 to 21. Edwards received seven votes.

Local Republicans also echoed overall state caucus results.

Some 333 District 1 Republican voters crowded the Elks Club to cast a ballot. There, they backed Mitt Romney with 104 votes. John McCain followed with 86 votes, Mike Huckabee drew 76 votes and Ron Paul claimed 65. Alan Keyes also received two of the votes.

Republican leaders were also pleased with the level of people casting ballots.

"We had 250 registration forms filled out so we had to print some more," said District 1 Sen. Stan Lyson, R-Williston. "It's a good turnout."

District 1 Rep. Pat Hatlestad echoed that sentiment.

"From the district meeting, to the caucus to the dinner, it's been outstanding. People were very pleased with Mr. (Wayne) Stenehjem's message. He talked about political campaigns and travel, and things in the past. Then, he talked about some of the issues," Hatlestad said. "We had three state candidates that spoke during the district meeting - Brian Kalk, public service commission candidate; Bob Stenehjem, public service commissioner candidate; and Kelly Schmitz, who is running for treasurer. We adjourned the district meeting, and we had three spokespeople for the Democratic people running - one for Ron Paul, one for Sen. McCain and one for Mitt Romney. It's been really quite good."

A total of 191 District 2 Republican voters turned out at the Williston, Stanley and Crosby caucus sites. Romney led the field with 60 votes. Huckabee had 48, McCain 41 and Paul 40.

For local District 2 Republicans voting at the Elks site, Paul edged out the field with 18 votes. Romney and Huckabee each received 15 votes. McCain had nine votes.