Former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney and Texas Congressman Ron Paul continue to lead, according to the latest Iowa election results.
Mr. Paul and Mr. Romney remain in a virtual tie as the Texas Republican and the former Massachusetts governor each have the support of 24 percent of voters.
Former Pennsylvania U.S. Senator Rick Santorum remains 1 percentage point behind Mr. Romney with 23 percent. Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich has the support of 13 percent of voters, while the rest of the field remains well below the 10 percent mark.
Mr. Paul is receiving the support of 3,821 voters, while Mr. Romney has the support of 3,650 voters. The election results represent an early return as just 18 percent of precincts are reporting results.
Mr. Romney is getting the most support among Iowa caucus goers who say that defeating Mr. Obama was the most important quality in a candidate. Nearly half of voters who said defeating the president was the most important thing in a candidate said they were casting their support for Mr. Romney.
In addition, voters polled outside of the caucus say that Mr. Romney’s background in business is the single greatest attribute.
The election results come as voters kicked off the 2012 election with Tuesday’s caucus. The Iowa Republican Party is reporting unofficial results throughout the night until a winner is declared.
