The Nevada Republican Party is reporting that the early results of the Nevada Republican caucuses have former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney holding a strong lead for first place over Texas congressman Ron Paul.
According to the Nevada Republican Party caucus results, thus far, 4 percent of the precincts in Nevada have reported their results, and Mr. Romney has garnered 37.6 percent of the votes, trailed by Mr. Paul who currently sits at 29 percent. They are both trailed by Mr. Gingrich at 19 percent and former Pennsylvania Senator Rick Santorum at 13 percent of the votes.
These early caucus results show a different breakdown for second, third and fourth place behind Mr. Romney. The Las Vegas Review Journal poll of Nevada Republican voters released earlier this week showed Mr. Gingrich projected to finish second behind Mr. Romney, with Mr. Paul and Mr. Santorum battling for a third place finish.
Mr. Romney won the 2008 Nevada Republican caucuses by a wide margin, which most political analysts attribute to the large portion of Mormon voters in Nevada. The Journal poll and several Public Polling Policy polls of Nevada voters this week projected him to win again by a wide margin.
If the early caucus results are any prediction for how the official results will end up, Mr. Romney should win with ease, followed by a surprising second place finish for Mr. Paul.
The voter turnout for the 2012 Nevada Republican caucuses have been much lower than was the voter turnout in 2008, CNN reports. That could be an advantage for Mr. Paul, who has a strong following in Nevada. The Texas congressman has also seen the most loyal following out of any of the remaining candidates, which could also play to his advantage if the voter turnout is lower than expected.
