Mitt Romney has breezed to an easy victory in the Washington state Republican presidential caucuses, earning another momentum boost heading into this week's crucial "Super Tuesday" contests in 10 states.
With about 80% of precincts reporting in the non-binding straw poll, Mr Romney had 36% support.
Most of the precincts still to report were in pro-Romney King County, which includes the greater Seattle area.
The biggest drama was the race for second place, with only about 250 votes separating Representative Ron Paul at 25% and former senator Rick Santorum at 24.4%.
Former House of Representatives speaker Newt Gingrich was in fourth place, at 11%.
The outcome marked a fourth state win for Mr Romney this week, after the former Massachusetts governor picked up contests in Michigan, Arizona and Wyoming.
He also won the other most recent vote, the Maine caucus on 11 February.
Republicans are seeking a nominee to challenge President Barack Obama in the 6 November election.
"I'm heartened to have won the Washington caucuses, and I thank the voters for their support today," Mr Romney said in a posting on Twitter and Facebook.
"The voters of Washington have sent a signal that they do not want a Washington insider in the White House.
"They want a conservative businessman who understands the private sector," he added.
A Republican candidate needs 1,144 delegates to win the party's nomination.
Some 419 delegates are at stake in the 10 primary and caucus contests on Tuesday.
States voting on Tuesday include Ohio, traditionally a national bellwether, Georgia, Tennessee and Idaho, Washington's neighbour to the east.
Kirby Wilbur, Chairman of the state Republican Party, said Mr Romney's bid for the White House seemed finally to be picking up the "Mitt-mentum" that had eluded it so far.
"I would think this would boost his chances on Super Tuesday," Mr Wilbur added.
