McCain projected to win Connecticut

HARTFORD, Conn., Feb. 5 (UPI) -- Connecticut Republicans appear to be backing Sen. John McCain as their choice for the GOP presidential nominee in Super Tuesday voting.

The Arizona senator is projected to win the Nutmeg State's Republican primary over his chief rival Mitt Romney, the former governor of Massachusetts, CNN and NBC reported.

With 27 percent of the vote counted, McCain had 52 percent of the vote, compared to Romney's 33 percent.

Former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee had 7 percent support and Texas Rep. Ron Paul had 4 percent of the Republican vote.

McCain -- who was endorsed by Gov. M. Jodi Rell and Sen. Joe Lieberman, I-Conn.-- also won the state's 2000 primary over George W. Bush, who was born in the state.

Connecticut is one of one of 24 states holding nominating contests Tuesday. There are 27 Republican delegates in Connecticut up for grabs Tuesday.