At a time when no clear front-runner has emerged in the Democratic race for president, Hillary Clinton won her party's primary in Florida on Tuesday.
But those primary results may not count toward votes at the Democratic National Convention.
The Associated Press listed Clinton with 50 percent of the vote, followed by Barack Obama at 33 percent and John Edwards at 14 percent, with 99 percent of precincts reporting.
Florida would have had 210 total Democratic delegates seated at the convention, but those seats were taken away by the Democratic National Committee as punishment for Florida holding its primary earlier than party regulations allow.
Clinton spoke in Davie to thank her supporters after the results were announced.
"I am thrilled to have had this vote of confidence you have given me today," she said in a televised speech. "I promise you I will do everything I can to make sure not only are Florida's Democratic delegates seated, but Florida is in the winning column for the Democrats in 2008."
Florida Democratic Party Chairwoman Karen Thurman said in a phone interview at about 9:30 p.m. that she was encouraged by the results.
Thurman said the high voter turnout, with more than a million Democrats voting at the time of the interview, continues "to grow the excitement" for the Democratic presidential contest.
She also said she thought the delegates from Florida would be reinstated.
"Now there's some discussion going on that Florida and Michigan could become the kingmakers in all of this," she said. Michigan's Democratic delegates were also lost due to an early primary.
Larry Dodd, a political science professor at UF, said he believes the Florida primary will effect upcoming races.
Twenty-two primaries will take place in less than one week, on what many have dubbed "Super Tuesday."
Dodd said the results from Florida may give Clinton an edge for future contests, and she needs the favorable media coverage after her South Carolina loss.
He said Florida will affect public opinion because it is one of the first large, demographically diverse states to host a primary.
Kathleen Shea, a classical studies junior and a co-president of Gators for Hillary, said the group saw Clinton's win as a gain in momentum, despite the loss of delegates.
"It's definitely a symbolic win," Shea said. "We're ready to go for Super Tuesday."
Danny Beaulieu, a philosophy junior and the membership coordinator of UF Students for Obama, said the Obama supporters aren't taking the loss too hard, especially since party regulations prohibited candidates from campaigning in Florida.
"We had a huge win in South Carolina, much larger than our loss tonight," Beaulieu said.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
