Mitt Romney … Clean Sweep in GOP Presidential Primary Wins in Wisconsin, Maryland and District of Columbia

ROMNEY SWEEPS THE NIGHT …

It was a big night for Mitt Romney as the former Governor of Massachusetts swept through last nights GOP Presidential primaries in Wisconsin, Maryland and the District of Columbia.Romney was an easy winner in Maryland and DC; however, the big race of the night was in the Cheese head state of Wisconsin where Romney defeated Santorum.

Romney sweeps Wisconsin, Maryland & DC primaries … shortens the number of delegates needed for nomination

Mitt Romney won all three of Tuesday’s Republican presidential primaries, putting more distance between himself and his closest contender, Rick Santorum, who indicated he plans to fight on to his home state of Pennsylvania and beyond.

Romney’s wins in Wisconsin, Maryland and the District of Columbia put him past the halfway mark to the 1,144 delegates needed to clinch the nomination and add to a wide delegate lead that he holds over the other major GOP presidential candidates, according to CNN estimates.

Yet Santorum indicated Tuesday night he would compete in the April 24 primaries in five states, including Pennsylvania, where his campaign hopes a win would be a gateway to a run of May primaries in states where he can capitalize on higher percentages of conservative voters.

Romney turns focus to Barack Obama following sweeping victories … VIDEO

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The total delegate count to date can be seen HERE. Romney is now more than half way to victory of the necessary delegates to get the GOP nomination. However, Rick Santorum stated following last night’s sweep that he was not going away.

But Santorum has made it clear he’ll continue on through the April 24 primaries, which include his home state of Pennsylvania as well as a number of states friendly to Romney: Connecticut, New York, Delaware and Rhode Island.

GOP strategists say it’s unlikely Santorum could be swayed by any Romney endorsements, and that unless Romney beats him in both Wisconsin and Pennsylvania the race could continue on through the end of May. Romney has fallen behind Obama in the polls, a sign the long and nasty primary is hurting his campaign.