Romney takes Nevada

Mitt Romney romped to victory in the Nevada vote to pick the Republican presidential contender.

It was no surprise after the state gave him 51 per cent during his 2008 bid for the presidency.

SOUNDBITE: Republican Presidential Candidate Mitt Romney saying (English):

"Thank you guys. Wow. What a great showing. Thank you Nevada. You know, 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."

Romney's Nevada win is the third out of five state contests so far and gives him a firm grip on the party's presidential nomination race.

Fellow contenders Ron Paul and Newt Gingrich were left battling it out for second place. Rick Santorum skipped the state completely.

Gingrich remained defiant.

SOUNDBITE: Republican Presidential candidate Newt Gingrich saying (English):

"What happens is every primary day or caucus day, the Romney headquarters in Boston sends out the rumour that they believe I will withdraw, which is of course their greatest fantasy. I'm not going to withdraw. I'm actually pretty happy with where we are, and I think the contrast between Governor Romney and me is going to get wider and wider, and clearer and clearer, over the next few weeks.

The contest moves on to Minnesota, Colorado and Missouri on Tuesday.

Paul Chapman, Reuters