Gingrich wins Georgia primary - FT.com Super Tuesday results (AP) State (Votes counted*) Mitt Romney Rick Santorum Newt Gingrich Ron Paul Georgia (1.3%) Virginia (31.4%) Vermont (4.2%) Ohio (0.1%) Tennessee (8pm) Oklahoma (8pm) North Dakota (8pm) Massachusetts (8pm) Idaho (10pm) Alaska (12am) at 7.45pm est Newt Gingrich won the Republican primary in his home state of Georgia while Mitt Romney was projected the winner in Virginia and Vermont as four states delivered the first results on a crucial night in the battle for the party's presidential nomination. Exit polls in Ohio - the most closely watched contest of the 10 states that voted on Super Tuesday - showed a tight race. Mr Romney had a slight edge with 40 per cent, while Rick Santorum in second place with 36 per cent, according to CNN data. Mr Romney was hoping to deal a knockout blow to his rivals, with the Republican establishment desperate for him to bring the contest to an end quickly in order to limit the political damage to their candidate from a vicious and protracted primary. But there remain big pockets of dissatisfaction with Mr Romney among conservative voters across the country. Speaking to reporters in Boston, after he voted in the Massachusetts primary, Mr Romney brushed off recent national polls showing his support falling among independent voters, which could damage him in a general election contest against Barack Obama. Mr Romney said this was "the nature of campaigns." "You are going to have attacks coming from various people and until those attacks are answered and better understood, they will affect people's perceptions," he said. Although Mr Romney has a lead and is expected to win the most delegates on Tuesday, he will still be a long way from the 1,144 he needs to secure the nomination, which means the contest is likely to keep going beyond this week. Ohio was considered the most important trophy given its status as a key swing state in the general election, and was the object of the most attention from Mr Romney and Mr Santorum in recent days. Meanwhile, Mr Gingrich focused on his home state of Georgia - which awards the most delegates - in an attempt to revive his flagging candidacy. Ron Paul, the libertarian Texas congressman, attempted to woo voters in the less populous states of North Dakota, Idaho and Alaska. Mr Santorum dropped his usual focus on traditional family values, apparently concerned that his recent comments about contraception were alienating women voters, and instead focused on the economy. Exit polls in Ohio showed that six in 10 voters there were most concerned about the economy - rather than social issues. Voters in Steubenville, the rusting steel town in eastern Ohio where Mr Santorum spent Super Tuesday night, were overwhelmingly supporting the former Pennsylvania senator. "I'm impressed with his sincerity and his knowledge of the issues," said Donald Jordan, a retiree who cast his ballot for Mr Santorum at Froehlich's Classic Corner restaurant, where a menu board declared "welcome voters." I could live with Romney but I'm no fan of Obama. This is the most important election we've had since [we elected George] Washington," Mr Jordan said. Mr Santorum will campaign in Kansas and Mississippi on Wednesday before heading to Alabama on Thursday, aiming to shore up support in the conservative southern states next to vote.