TAMPA, Fla. (AP) _ Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney has money and momentum on his side as he plows ahead into a series of February primary contests after a big win in Florida.
Chief rival Newt Gingrich is fighting to recover from the significant loss and faces serious disadvantages in the next states to vote.
Romney said Tuesday night he was “ready to lead this party and our nation” as he prepared to take his campaign to Minnesota and Nevada on Wednesday.
Gingrich, meanwhile, is working to convince supporters that the primary is still a two-person race.He plans stops in three Nevada cities on Wednesday.
Nevada and Maine have caucuses on Feb. 4. Minnesota, Colorado and Missouri all hold contests on Feb. 7. Michigan and Arizona hold primaries on Feb. 28.
