Newt Gingrich won Saturday's South Carolina GOP presidential primary, marking a stunning turnaround for a candidate who finished fourth in Iowa and New Hampshire and whose campaign had been left for dead -- again -- by observers just weeks ago. With about 95% of polling places reporting, Gingrich had 40% of the vote, with former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney getting 27% and former U.S. Sen. Rick Santorum getting 17%. U.S. Rep. Ron Paul of Texas had 13%. Based on early returns and exit polls, CNN projected Gingrich the winner. In his victory speech to supporters, Gingrich thanked "everyone in South Carolina who decided to be with us in changing Washington."
@highlight
"I articulate the deepest-held values of the American people," Newt Gingrich says
@highlight
Newt Gingrich wins South Carolina primary in stunning turnaround
@highlight
Gingrich surged in polls in week leading up to primary
@highlight
Mitt Romney comes off a tough week with Rick Santorum's official Iowa win
South Carolina
South Carolina
Gingrich, whose surge has been helped in part by two strong debate performances in @placeholder, said that if he's resonating with voters, it's not just because he's a good debater.
South Carolina
South Carolina
"Our campaign has fought very hard here in @placeholder, and in the coming weeks and months, I'll keep fighting for every single vote.
Newt Gingrich
Newt Gingrich
Newt Gingrich
"Mitt Romney was 2-0 (before Iowa officials switched the narrow Iowa result this week) and soon to be 3-0, and I took Iowa, @placeholder took South Carolina, and it's game on again."
South Carolina
South Carolina
"Mitt Romney was 2-0 (before Iowa officials switched the narrow Iowa result this week) and soon to be 3-0, and I took Iowa, Newt took @placeholder, and it's game on again."
Mitt Romney
Mitt Romney
Then what had been declared an eight-vote @placeholder victory in Iowa's January 3 caucuses was reversed into a 34-vote win for Santorum when the state party certified its results on Thursday.
Gingrich
Gingrich
Gingrich
Gingrich
Santorum spent the week trying to bring down @placeholder in what most see as a race between the moderate Romney against conservatives Gingrich or Santorum.
Mitt Romney
Mitt Romney
Santorum spent the week trying to bring down Gingrich in what most see as a race between the moderate @placeholder against conservatives Gingrich or Santorum.
Rick Santorum
Rick Santorum
Santorum spent the week trying to bring down Gingrich in what most see as a race between the moderate Romney against conservatives Gingrich or @placeholder.