Nevada is Romney country

Republican presidential front-runner Mitt Romney was projected as the winner of the Nevada caucuses last night, according to Fox News Channel.

The win is Romney’s first back-to-back win of the 2012 race, following his Florida primary success last week.

The former Massachusetts governor had been widely expected to take Nevada, with early returns showing him well ahead of his rivals.

“Thank you NV! Our message of restoring America’s greatness continues to resonate through the west & across the country,” Romney tweeted moments after his victory.

Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich was edging out Texas Rep. Ron Paul for second place.

“We will continue to campaign, all the way to Tampa,” vowed Gingrich.

Former Pennsylvania Sen. Rick Santorum would finish in fourth place, Fox projected.

In the Nevada GOP’s official tally, with 12.5 percent of precincts reporting, Romney was leading with 40.8 percent. Gingrich had 26.2 percent, Paul had 19.2 percent and Santorum was at 13.6 percent.

Nevada is friendly territory for Romney, having overwhelmingly supported him in 2008.

However, Paul and Gingrich also have large constituencies in the state, according to The Wall Street Journal — and both predicted finishing second yesterday.