Romney wins New Hampshire US presidential contest

Mitt Romney took a crucial step toward the Republican presidential nomination on Tuesday as he scored a solid victory in New Hampshire despite blistering attacks on his record as a businessman.

With 25 percent of precincts reporting, the former Massachusetts governor and private equity executive had won 37 percent of the vote. He outpaced rivals Ron Paul, a US congressman known for libertarian views, and Jon Huntsman, a moderate former US ambassador to China. Paul was drawing about 24 percent and Huntsman 17 percent.

US television networks declared Romney the victor as soon as polls closed.

Following on his Jan. 3 victory in Iowa - the first Republican nominating contest - Romney could now find it easier to convince skeptics that he is the party's best choice to take on Democratic President Barack Obama on Nov. 6.

Romney has struggled to win over conservatives who are unnerved by his shifting stances on hot-button social issues like abortion and his stint as a centrist governor of neighbouring Massachusetts. Some conservative Christian voters are wary of his Mormon faith.

With economic concerns topping the agenda, Romney has argued that his experience as head of investment firm Bain Capital would make him the best candidate to put the shaky US economy on a stronger footing.

In recent days, rivals like former House of Representatives speaker Newt Gingrich have painted him as a heartless corporate raider who enjoys cutting jobs - an unusual debate in the business-friendly Republican Party.

The attacks appeared to have had little effect in New Hampshire, the small New England state known for its independent streak and outsized role in presidential campaigns. The state's 5.2 percent unemployment rate is well below the national average of 8.5 percent.

Romney, whose next test is the South Carolina primary on Jan. 21, has tried to keep the focus on Obama, and he immediately took aim at the president in remarks to supporters.