Romney wins New Hampshire primary

The results of the first Republican presidential primary Tuesday night indicated voter… The results of the first Republican presidential primary Tuesday night indicated voter preferences that differed significantly from those demonstrated in last week’s Iowa caucuses.

Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney won the New Hampshire primary with 39 percent of the vote, at press time when 93 percent of the votes were counted. He made his victory speech at 8:30 p.m., when only 19 percent of the votes had been counted.

“Our campaign is about more than replacing the president, it’s about saving America’s soul,” Romney said to his supporters Tuesday night.

Texas Rep. Ron Paul came in second, with 23 percent of the vote. Just like Romney, Paul made his speech before most of the votes had been reported.

“[Romney] certainly had a clear-cut victory, but we’re nibbling at his heels,” Paul said. Thirty-three percent of votes had been counted when he made his remarks.

“It’s no longer that irate tireless minority that’s stirring up trouble,” he said to his supporters. “Now that irate minority is growing by rate and bounds.”

Utah Gov. Jon Huntsman finished in third place with 17 percent of the vote, followed by former House Speaker Newt Gingrich with 9 percent.  

Huntsman has remained relatively low in the national polls, staying in the single digits and usually in last place. However, he took 39,743 of the votes in New Hampshire.

“Ladies and gentlemen, I think we’re in the hunt,” Huntsman said.

Former Pennsylvania Sen. and Pitt alumnus Rick Santorum landed right behind Gingrich in fifth with 9 percent of the vote, a much different result from his second-place finish in Iowa, where he lost to Romney by only eight votes.

Texas Gov. Rick Perry finished last with 1 percent of the vote.

“Tonight we celebrate. Tomorrow we go back to work,” Romney said.

The candidates will now head to South Carolina for the next Republican presidential primary, which will take place on Jan. 21.