Romney Regains Stride With Victories in 2 States

NEW YORK TIMES
SOUTHFIELD, Mich. — Mitt Romney fought back a vigorous challenge from Rick Santorum in Michigan on Tuesday, narrowly carrying his native state, and won the Arizona primary in a pair of contests that reasserted his control over the Republican presidential race as it advances to critical Super Tuesday contests next week.


Arizona Primary Results » Candidate Pct.
Romney 47.3%
Santorum 26.6
Gingrich 16.2
Paul 8.4
Others 1.5

Updated Feb. 29 100% reporting

Michigan Primary Results » Candidate Pct.
Romney 41.1%
Santorum 37.9
Paul 11.6
Gingrich 6.5
Others 2.9

His victory over Mr. Santorum here in Michigan was far from commanding, but it was most likely sufficient to dampen the rising clamor from across the Republican Party about his ability to win over conservatives and connect with voters. The tussle with Mr. Santorum highlighted ample concerns about Mr. Romney, but his win spared his campaign from deep turmoil.

“I stand ready to lead our party to victory and our nation back to prosperity,” Mr. Romney told a jubilant crowd of supporters. “It’s a critical time in America.”

The victory by Mr. Romney in Arizona, which awarded him the state’s entire allotment of 29 delegates, was overshadowed by the battle in Michigan. He prevailed in the statewide popular vote by four percentage points, relying on large margins in the counties around Detroit where he spent his childhood, but the fight for delegates was closer.