Romney scores victories in Super Tuesday contest

During the biggest night of the Republican race to the White House so far, the Republican contender won six out of the 10 contests on Tuesday but failed to score a knockout blow after an unexpectedly strong performance by rival Rick Santorum, who won three states.

The race culminated in a close victory for Mr Romney in the swing state of Ohio, narowly beating Mr Santorum to the finish line. He also won his home state of Massachusetts, Idaho, Vermont, Alaska and Virginia.

Mr Santorum won the states of Tennessee, Oklahoma and North Dakota, saying that his victories proved that he was the best candidate to represent the party’s conservative philosophy.

Although Super Tuesdays have historically been decisive in appointing a nominee, the results of this year look set to ensure that the race will drag on well into the summer.

Countdown

The Massachusetts governor will now continue in his battle to win over large swathes of the Republican base, with the grassroots said to be suspicious of his moderate leanings.

In his post-election speech in Boston, where his campaign organisation is based, Mr Romney said: “Tonight we are counting up the delegates for the convention and counting down the days until November.”

Meanwhile, Newt Gingrich won his home state of Georgia and said he would stay in the race.

The race will now see candidates fight it out in the conservative states of Kansas, Alabama and Mississipi.

But the results so far have indicated that Mr Romney is in the lead to take on President Barack Obama in November.