A major victory for Mitt Romney in Florida.<br/> <br />The former Massachusetts governor scored a significant win in the Republican race for the White House, beating out Newt Gingrich.<br/> <br />(SOUNDBITE) (English) MITT ROMNEY, REPUBLICAN PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE, SAYING:<br/> <br />"Primary contests are not easy - and they're not supposed to be. As this primary unfolds, our opponents in the other party have been watching. They like to comfort themselves with the thought that a competitive campaign will leave us divided and weak. But I've got some news for them: A competitive primary does not divide us; it prepares us. And when we gather here in Tampa seven months from now for our convention, ours will be a united party with a winning ticket for America!<br/> <br />The Florida win helps Romney take a big step towards his goal of winning the party's nomination to challenge President Barack Obama in the Nov. 6 election.<br/> <br />Gingrich, a former Speaker of the House of Representatives, came in second after a contentious battle in the so-called Sunshine State.<br/> <br />But he is vowing to fight on<br/> <br />(SOUNDBITE) (English) NEWT GINGRICH, REPUBLICAN PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE SAYING:<br/> <br />"I think Florida did something very important. It is now clear this will be a two person race between the conservative leader Newt Gingrich and the Massachusetts moderate."<br/> <br />Despite his edge in Florida, Romney still narrowly trails Gingrich in some national polls.<br/> <br />The next test comes February 4th when Nevada holds its caucus.<br/> <br />Sophia Soo, Reuters
