Romney Wins Florida Primary; Gingrich Vows to Keep Fighting - East Idaho News
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Romney Wins Florida Primary; Gingrich Vows to Keep Fighting

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GETTY P 020112 RomneyFLWin?  SQUARESPACE CACHEVERSION=1328088579519Joe Raedle/Getty Images(TAMPA, Fla.) — Mitt Romney sailed to victory Tuesday night in the Florida Republican presidential primary, after weeks of negative campaigning that saw an unprecedented amount of outside money flow into the Sunshine State.

Newt Gingrich placed second, Rick Santorum ended in third and Ron Paul finished last.

Romney appeared to win most of the state’s southern and central region, while Gingrich’s support was concentrated in the north.

[CLICK HERE TO SEE THE FULL RESULTS OF THE FLORIDA PRIMARY]

The former Massachusetts governor’s debate performance last week and negative ad campaign against chief rival Gingrich played a key role in his victory in the Sunshine State.  Behind the scenes, conservatives expressed concern that the often-personal attacks would fracture the Republican Party, but on Tuesday night, an upbeat Romney dismissed that idea.

“A competitive primary does not divide us.  It prepares us,” he said to cheers.  “And when we gather here in Tampa seven months from now for our convention, ours will be a united party with a winning ticket for America.”

Gingrich, however, gave no indication of backing off.  Surrounded by signs reading “46 States to Go,” Gingrich indirectly jabbed Santorum — who he has publicly said should drop out — and vowed to fight as the conservative alternative to Romney.

“It is now clear that this will be a two-person race between the conservative leader Newt Gingrich and the Massachusetts moderate,” the former House speaker said on Tuesday.  “We are going to contest every place and we are going to win.”

Copyright 2012 ABC News Radio

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