Romney takes New Hampshire-race moves south

As of Wednesday, January 11, 2012
© Copyright 2013 Albany Herald

Photo by Bill Dinicola

Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney won a convincing victory in the New Hampshire primary, the second straight triumph for Romney and one that bolsters his front-runner status to take on President Barack Obama in November.

All six Republican contenders head to South Carolina on Wednesday ahead of the next primary.

With 95% of precincts reporting, Romney received 40% of the vote in Tuesday's balloting. Texas Rep. Ron Paul received 23% and former Utah Gov. and U.S. Ambassador Jon Huntsman garnered 17%.

Romney's sweep of the first two contests for the GOP nomination made history. It was the first time a non-incumbent Republican won both the Iowa caucuses and New Hampshire's first-in-the-nation primary.

Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich and former Pennsylvania Sen. Rick Santorum came in with 10% and 9%, respectively, and Texas Gov. Rick Perry had 1%.