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Mitt Romney nears wins in Arizona and Michigan Mitt Romney heads to wins in Arizona and Michigan
(40 minutes later)
US exit polls have put Republican Mitt Romney on course for an Arizona primary win, and he is holding a narrow lead in the crucial Michigan presidential poll. US Republican White House contender Mitt Romney is nearing a double win in the Michigan and Arizona primaries.
Arizona exit surveys showed 44% support for Mr Romney and 27% for Mr Santorum. He won in Arizona, where he has 49% of the vote, and is projected to win in Michigan, where he leads Rick Santorum by 42% to 37% with 66% counted.
With 50% of Michigan's results now in, Mr Romney is ahead of Mr Santorum by 40% to 36%. Rick Santorum addressed supporters in Michigan, moments after he reportedly called Mr Romney to concede defeat.
Michigan is seen as vital for Mr Romney, who was born in the state but has had a hard time connecting with conservative voters there. Michigan was seen as vital for Mr Romney, who was born in the state and saw his father serve as governor.
However, he has found it hard to connect with conservative voters there.
Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich and Texas Congressman Ron Paul did not compete in Arizona and Michigan, focusing on contests scheduled for next week.Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich and Texas Congressman Ron Paul did not compete in Arizona and Michigan, focusing on contests scheduled for next week.
Exit polling suggested Mr Gingrich would win 16% in Arizona, with Mr Paul on 11%.Exit polling suggested Mr Gingrich would win 16% in Arizona, with Mr Paul on 11%.
In Michigan, Mr Paul has won 11% of the vote so far, with 7% for Mr Gingrich.In Michigan, Mr Paul has won 11% of the vote so far, with 7% for Mr Gingrich.
US media reports Mr Santorum called Mr Romney to concede before giving a speech to supporters.
Michigan battleMichigan battle
If his win is confirmed Mr Romney will be awarded all of Arizona's 29 presidential nominating delegates. A win in Michigan would not mean the overall winner takes all the state's 30 delegates, as a district-based system is in place in the Wolverine State.If his win is confirmed Mr Romney will be awarded all of Arizona's 29 presidential nominating delegates. A win in Michigan would not mean the overall winner takes all the state's 30 delegates, as a district-based system is in place in the Wolverine State.
The projected Arizona win comes after a barely contested race there, with campaign resources mainly deployed elsewhere in recent weeks.The projected Arizona win comes after a barely contested race there, with campaign resources mainly deployed elsewhere in recent weeks.
That contrasts with an expensive, hard-fought campaign in Michigan, where Mr Romney and an independent committee supporting him spent almost $4m (£2.5m) in advertising.That contrasts with an expensive, hard-fought campaign in Michigan, where Mr Romney and an independent committee supporting him spent almost $4m (£2.5m) in advertising.
On Tuesday, Mr Romney appeared to acknowledge that he has had trouble winning over conservative voters in a state where he was expected to do well.On Tuesday, Mr Romney appeared to acknowledge that he has had trouble winning over conservative voters in a state where he was expected to do well.
He said his disconnect with the party's right-wing stemmed from his unwillingness to make "incendiary" comments.He said his disconnect with the party's right-wing stemmed from his unwillingness to make "incendiary" comments.
In the end, exit polling in both states showed that about half of voters "strongly" backed the candidate they voted for.In the end, exit polling in both states showed that about half of voters "strongly" backed the candidate they voted for.
In Michigan, the state's primary rules allow non-Republicans to register as party members and vote in the primary - meaning that around 10% of all voters identified themselves as Democrats.In Michigan, the state's primary rules allow non-Republicans to register as party members and vote in the primary - meaning that around 10% of all voters identified themselves as Democrats.
Tuesday's two primaries were the first test for Mr Santorum since a three-state sweep in primary and caucus earlier in February.Tuesday's two primaries were the first test for Mr Santorum since a three-state sweep in primary and caucus earlier in February.
Mr Romney won earlier contests in New Hampshire and Florida, but had struggled in recent weeks.Mr Romney won earlier contests in New Hampshire and Florida, but had struggled in recent weeks.
The former Massachusetts governor currently has 152 delegates, compared to Mr Santorum's 72, with 1,144 needed to secure the nomination.The former Massachusetts governor currently has 152 delegates, compared to Mr Santorum's 72, with 1,144 needed to secure the nomination.