Rick Santorum has won the Missouri primary, notching an insurgent victory against national frontrunner Mitt Romney — albeit in a contest that did not have any actual delegates at stake.
With 24% of precincts reporting, Santorum has 56%, Mitt Romney 28%, and Ron Paul 13%. He has been projected as the winner by NBC News and CNN. Newt Gingrich was not on the ballot at all.
However, as noted above, there were no delegates at stake — turning this into what is known as a “beauty contest” primary. Because the state law kept this primary on February 7, corresponding with Super Tuesday of the last campaign cycle in 2008, state Republican leaders opted to instead go with a caucus on March 17, which would keep them in full compliance with this year’s official primary calendar.
