Romney wins Nevada presidential caucuses

LAS VEGAS -- Republican presidential front-runner Mitt Romney cruised to victory in the Nevada caucuses Saturday night, notching a second straight triumph over a field of rivals suddenly struggling to keep pace.

The former Massachusetts governor held a double-digit lead over his nearest pursuer as the totals mounted in a state where fellow Mormons accounted for roughly a quarter of all caucus-goers.

Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich and Texas Rep. Ron Paul vied for a distant second.

Former Pennsylvania Sen. Rick Santorum trailed the field.

Returns from 12 of 17 counties showed Romney with 41 percent support, Gingrich with 25 percent, Paul with 22 percent and Santorum with 13 percent.

"Thank you, Nevada," Romney told supporters gathered for a victory celebration tonight at a resort and casino in Las Vegas.

"This is not the first time you gave me your vote of confidence and this time I'm going to take it to the White House," he added, referring to his caucus victory in 2008 during his failed bid for his party's nomination.

According to the AP count, Romney began the day with 87 of the 1,144 delegates needed to win the Republican nomination. Gingrich had 26, Santorum 14 and Paul 4.