Mitt Romney wins Alaska caucuses

JUNEAU, Alaska, March 7 (UPI) -- Republican presidential hopeful Mitt Romney claimed victory in the Alaska caucuses, picking up the majority of states in Super Tuesday contests.

Alaska's 27 delegates will be awarded proportionately later in March.

With 4,285 votes, Romney claimed 32 percent of the statewide vote, the Fairbanks Daily News-Miner reported. Former U.S. Sen. Rick Santorum of Pennsylvania claimed 29 percent, U.S. Rep. Ron Paul of Texas captured 24 percent and former House Speaker Newt Gingrich got 14 percent.

Romney won the majority of the 10 states caucusing or holding primaries Tuesday, including Vermont, Massachusetts, Virginia, Ohio, Idaho and Alaska. Santorum won Tennessee, Oklahoma and North Dakota, while Gingrich claimed Georgia. Paul was shut out.

The Alaska Republican Party said 13,219 people voted on Tuesday, slightly less than in 2008.

Paul, the only candidate to travel to Alaska ahead of the presidential preference poll, still hasn't won a primary or a caucus.

Romney reached out to the state by sending his son, Josh, to stump. Romney also benefited from having the endorsement of U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski.

Fairbanks election district head Mike Prax told the News-Miner he hoped the party can cash in and spread around the enthusiasm, especially as generated among Paul supporters.

"What's really encouraging is the young people," he said. "People are fed up with the folks they see in the news everyday that they think represent the Republican Party. When they [come here they] can see other people with the same ideals and that's important."