Santorum Wins Big in St. Michael, Albertville

As expected, it was a big night in northeastern Wright County for former Pennsylvania Sen. Rick Santorum.

The Catholic conservative won handily in Albertville and in both St. Michael precincts, outlasting Republican frontrunner Mitt Romney of Massachusetts and former Rep. Newt Gingrich.

"I think he represents the values we have here in the Midwest," Bob, a first-time caucuser in Albertville, said of Santorum. "I hope this gives him more momentum."

According to straw poll results at each precinct location:

In Albertville, Santorum had 37 votes, Paul 16, Romney 9 and. Gingrich 2

St. Michael West (1B) showed Romney 5, Gingrich 6, Paul 12 and Santorum 32.

St. Michael East (1A) finished with Gingrich 8, Romney 16, Paul 23 and Santorum 54.

Santorum was leading several polls heading into Tuesday night’s Minnesota Caucus, including one conducted by St. Michael Patch earlier in the evening.

"I'm really not at all surprised," said David Fitzsimmons, chair of the Wright County GOP. "He's put a lot of effort into Minnesota. I think he saw it as a state he could get, like Iowa."

Statewide, Santorum was leading, according to Minnesota Patch results from the more than two dozen communities with Patch sites. He carried more than a 2-to-1 ratio over second place Rep. Ron Paul who appeared Tuesday night in Maple Grove.