Rick Santorum Wins Another Southern Republican Primary in Louisiana

Rick Santorum
Pix by Bill Smith

Today, Rick Santorum won another Southern Republican Primary with his win of the closed Republican Primary in Louisiana. In a closed primary, only registered Republicans were allowed to vote with independents and unregistered Republicans not allowed to vote.

Santorum among Republicans gained more votes than his two closest rivals added together. In addition the votes for fellow Southerners Newt Gingrich, Ron Paul and Rick Perry didn't even add up to the votes garnered by Mitt Romney. It appears that Louisiana preferred the Yankees this time to help them with their economy which has suffered to President Obama's embargo of drilling permits and his administrations EPA policies.

Santorum who was in Wisconsin campaigning said, “The People in Louisiana came through in a big way." He also added, “We’re still fighting. … I’m not running as the conservative candidate for president. I am the conservative candidate.”

Louisiana (46 Delegates): With 100% reporting, Rick Santorum 49%; Mitt Romney 26.5%; Newt Gingrich 16%; Ron Paul 6% and Rick Perry 1%. Santorum received 8 delegates and Mitt Romney received 6 Delegates. The remaining 32 Delegates are unassigned and will be determined via State Republican caucuses on April 28th. it is not yet clear how those delegates, will be divided among the candidates although they are to allocated proportionately under Louisiana GOP rules.  Santorum won every Louisiana Parish except for Orleans which was won by Romney.  Based on this, Santorum should garner a majority of the delegates.

 The next primaries will be on April 3rd with Washington, D.C.,  Wisconsin, and Maryland.  Then on April 24, 5 states including New York and Pennsylvania will hold their primaries.

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Tags: Louisiana, primary, March 24, 2012, 2012 election, Rick Santorum, Mitt Romney To share or post to your site, click on "Post Link". Please mention / link to the ARRA News Service. Thanks!