Rick Santorum wins North Dakota caucuses

Republican presidential candidate Ron Paul waits to speak at a... — Republican presidential candidate Ron Paul waits to speak at a rally at Shiloh Christian School in Bismarck, N.D. (Feb. 20, 2012) Credit: AP

By THE ASSOCIATED PRESSMarch 6, 2012

The Associated Press has declared Rick Santorum the winner of North Dakota's caucuses.

Even though he raised less money than apparent second-place finisher Ron Paul and only visited the state just once, Santorum's social conservatism seems to have resonated with state voters.

With North Dakota under his belt, Santorum is projected to have so far tallied three wins in the Super Tuesday contests. Oklahoma and Tennessee are the others.

Many North Dakota GOP party activists had predicted the state would go to Paul, who even spoke in Fargo as polling began in an effort to woo undecided voters.

But Santorum supporter Melonie Tanous (TAN'-us), of Bismarck, a 43-year-old Web designer, says many felt Santorum was more authentically conservative than the other candidates.

North Dakota has 28 delegates up for grabs.

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