Romney wins Republican nominating caucuses in Maine

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Republican presidential hopeful Mitt Romney won a non-binding nominating contest in the northeastern state of Maine Saturday with 39 per cent of the vote, the head of state Republican party said.

Second-place finisher in the Maine caucuses with 36 per cent was the libertarian Texas congressman, Ron Paul, who spent much time campaigning in the state even though no delegates were at stake.

Former senator Rick Santorum received 18 per cent of the vote, and former House speaker Newt Gingrich came in last with eight per cent, Maine Republican Party chairman Charlie Webster said.

Although Maine is considered a beauty contest, Romney's win there was important to reaffirming his frontrunner status after a three state loss this week to Santorum that raised fresh doubts about the former Massachusetts governors appeal.

Romney also got a boost earlier in the day by winning a straw poll among participants at a major conservative gathering in Washington, winning 38 per cent of the vote to 31 per cent for Santorum.

Accepting the loss in Maine, Paul, a champion of small government and an opponent of US foreign intervention, told his supporters: "Just remember, the revolution is only beginning."