Romney wins Nevada caucuses - FT.com Mitt Romney swept to a convincing win in the Nevada caucuses, maintaining his momentum as frontrunner in the race for the Republican nomination for the 2012 presidential election and leaving Newt Gingrich in a tussle with Ron Paul for second place. Early results showed a clear victory for Mr Romney, as he secured almost 38.4 per cent of the vote, with 19 per cent of Nevada's precincts reporting by 2045 Pacific time, in a repeat of his 2008 win in the state. The wide margin of victory - his third in an acrimonious primary campaign - is a blow to Mr Gingrich, the former speaker of the House, who faces the prospect of contesting upcoming races in Colorado, Missouri, Minnesota and Michigan with dwindling funds as Republicans coalesce behind Mr Romney. Mr Gingrich had 28 per cent of the votes in Nevada and Mr Paul 19 per cent, with Rick Santorum trailing on 15 per cent, by 2045 Pacific time. "Unlike Governor Romney I care deeply about helping the poorest Americans," Mr Gingrich told reporters in Las Vegas on Saturday evening. "I'm not going to withdraw [from the race]," he added. I'm pretty happy with where we are. The contrast with Governor Romney and me is going to get wider and wider in the coming weeks. In his victory speech in Las Vegas, Mr Romney aimed his criticisms at President Barack Obama, pointing to the suffering Nevada economy and the promises he said Mr Obama did not fulfil on jobs and employment. "America needs a president that can fix the economy because he understands the economy," Mr Romney said surrounded by his extended family. I do, and I will. Early results showed a decrease in the former governor of Massachusetts" share of the vote compared with four years ago, when he secured more than 50 per cent of votes to defeat John McCain. His victory this time was powered by Nevada's large Mormon population, which came out in force to back Mr Romney, as it did four years ago. Nearly 90 per cent of voters who identified themselves in exit polls said they voted for Mr Romney on Saturday. Mormons represent about 9 per cent of the electorate in Nevada yet accounted for about 25 per cent of caucus participants - roughly the same proportion as 2008 - according to exit polls. Nevada voters canvassed by the Financial Times this week said they were attracted to Mr Romney's record in business, which they said gave them confidence that he could turn the economy around. Nevada has the highest unemployment rate in the US at 12.6 per cent - four points above the national average. The state is also the US capital of mortgage foreclosures and has seen a sharp downturn in its once-booming construction sector. The win gives Mr Romney a big share of Nevada's 28 convention delegates. He currently has 71, according to Associated Press estimates, not including the delegates he will pick up from the state and needs 1,144 to secure the Republican nomination. Victory in Nevada also strengthens Mr Romney's hand ahead of "Super Tuesday" on March 6, when 10 states hold primaries on the same day. Super Tuesday is shaping up to be a crucial test of Mr Gingrich's ability to stay in the race. Before Saturday's caucus results were in, Mr Gingrich told reporters that he was aiming for second place in Nevada behind Mr Romney. "I think our hope is that we may be able to come in second, although Ron Paul is very organised," he said. We're going all out to see if we can't be a good solid second here, and then we're on to Colorado and Minnesota.