WASHINGTON (AP) — Exit polls of New Hampshire voters show that Mitt Romney won broad backing from conservatives and moderates alike and was widely seen as Republicans’ best hope of defeating President Barack Obama in this fall’s elections.
The former governor of neighboring Massachusetts won 4 in 10 conservative voters, double the support that went to the runner-up, Texas Rep. Ron Paul, and he did nearly as well among moderates. Romney also led among tea party supporters.
More than a third of voters said they’re looking for a candidate who could beat Obama, and 6 in 10 of them backed Romney.
The economy was considered the nation’s top issue by 6 in 10 voters. Nearly half of them backed Romney on Tuesday.
