LAS VEGAS, Nev. - Republican presidential front-runner Mitt Romney jumped to a strong lead in the Nevada caucuses Saturday night, reaching for a second straight campaign victory over a field of rivals suddenly struggling to keep pace.
Returns from three of the state's 17 counties showed the former Massachusetts governor gaining 41 per cent of the vote in a state where fellow Mormons turned out in heavy numbers.
Former House of Representatives Speaker Newt Gingrich was running second with 27 per cent, while Texas Rep. Ron Paul had 16 per cent and former Pennsylvania Sen. Rick Santorum was close behind with 15 per cent.
A victory for Romney would cap a week that began with a double-digit win in the Florida primary.
© The Canadian Press, 2012