Mitt Romney takes Nevada caucuses

Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney claimed victory in Nevada Saturday night with only… Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney claimed victory in Nevada Saturday night with only 13 percent of votes counted.

“I believe the 21st century will be and must be an American century,” the former Massachusetts governor said to a crowd that erupted into applause, waving blue “Nevada Believes” signs at his Las Vegas headquarters.

With results still coming in Sunday, Romney held a comfortable lead, claiming 47.6 percent of the vote. Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich and Texas Rep. Ron Paul continue to battle for second place, a close contest with Gingrich taking 22.7 percent and Paul 18.6 percent of the Silver State.

As for former Pennsylvania Sen. and Pitt graduate Rick Santorum, he had already moved on to Colorado by Saturday, having claimed 11 percent of the votes in Nevada.

“[Democrats] see America as a country that needs to be managed,” Santorum said, lambasting President Barack Obama and “ObamaCare,” a nickname for the Protection Plan and Affordable Care Act signed into law in 2010.

The race for the Republican ticket in November’s presidential election remains highly contested.

Romney has taken New Hampshire and Florida while Gingrich has South Carolina’s vote under his belt. Santorum claimed first in the Iowa caucuses.

In preparation for Super Tuesday, the candidates will take to campaigning for the Colorado and Minnesota caucuses and the Missouri primary election on Feb. 7.