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Mitt Romney heads to wins in Arizona and Michigan | |
(40 minutes later) | |
US Republican White House contender Mitt Romney is nearing a double win in the Michigan and Arizona primaries. | |
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. | |
Rick Santorum addressed supporters in Michigan, moments after he reportedly called Mr Romney to concede defeat. | |
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 battle | Michigan 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. |