( CNN ) -- Mitt Romney won the Republican caucuses in Washington state , according to unofficial results early Sunday , giving the former Massachusetts governor a shot in the arm heading into Super Tuesday contests . With 99 % of the vote in , Romney had 38 % . Texas Rep. Ron Paul had 25 % and former Pennsylvania Sen. Rick Santorum had 24 % . They were trailed by former House Speaker Newt Gingrich at 10 % . At stake in the contest are 40 delegates . `` We 're in a good second place , but the good news is we 're doing very , very well in getting delegates , '' Paul told supporters in Seattle , when about half of the vote had been counted . `` The enthusiasm for the cause of liberty continues to grow exponentially . '' Washington 's caucuses come just three days before Super Tuesday , when 10 states hold primaries and caucuses . And because of that , all four major GOP presidential candidates campaigned in the state , hoping a strong finish would carry over to Tuesday . State GOP chairman Kirby Wilbur predicted a large turnout and estimated between 500 and 1,500 did not vote in Kennewick city because of overcrowding . `` The leadership might have been unprepared for the turnout , but I do n't know what else they can do when you rent the largest facility in the county , '' he said . Even as caucuses began Saturday in Washington , the focus was shifting to Super Tuesday states . Romney campaigned in Cincinnati , where he took aim at President Barack Obama . `` He 's out of ideas . He 's out of excuses . And in 2012 , we 're going to make sure he 's out of a job , '' he told a cheering crowd . Romney got a boost earlier this week from wins in Arizona , Wyoming and Michigan . His win in Washington would be his eighth this election cycle . Santorum similarly campaigned in the Ohio town of Blue Ash . `` This was the industrial heartland of the country , '' he said . `` They now refer to it as the Rust Belt . After ... I take the corporate tax for manufacturers , eliminate it , cut it to zero -- we 're going to be the stainless-steel belt across this country . '' But in the days before the caucuses , the attention was on Washington state , as all four candidates made the long trip to the Pacific Northwest . `` This is the first time any one GOP presidential candidate has paid attention to us in recent memory , and my memory goes back to the 1970s , '' Wilbur said . `` We used to be the ugly sister invited to the dance , but no one asked to dance . Now we are the princess . '' Wilbur said that the state 's contest used to follow Super Tuesday , when in most cycles the battle for the nomination was basically over . Santorum , campaigning Thursday in Pasco , told supporters , `` You are the voice that is going to speak very loudly before Super Tuesday and put this race on a whole other plane . '' Romney , who campaigned in Washington on Friday , sounded a similar theme . `` There are a bunch of states that are going to make up their minds on Tuesday , but you guys are first , and so your voice is going to be heard , '' Romney said at a campaign event in Bellevue . Paul campaigned in Washington two weeks ago and was back in the state Friday and Saturday . He was also running campaign commercials in Washington , as was Gingrich , who made a swing through the state last week . The caucuses are open , meaning independent voters and Democrats can take part in the GOP contest . While some smaller caucus meetings were held in private homes , most gatherings were larger and held in public places , such as schools , and included multiple precincts . Besides voting for delegates , caucus-goers voted in a nonbinding GOP presidential preference straw poll . While delegates to the GOP convention in Tampa , Florida , wo n't be determined until later rounds of voting this spring , major news organizations , including CNN , will make proportional delegate estimates based on Saturday 's presidential straw poll results . The state GOP projected that 40,000 to 60,000 people would take part in the caucuses , up from the 12,616 who participated in the 2008 Republican caucuses . There was also a primary on the Republican side four years ago , with around a half million voters casting ballots .
NEW : State GOP chairman says between 500 and 1,500 did not vote in Kennewick city . The win will give Romney momentum going into Super Tuesday . All the remaining GOP candidates campaigned in Washington recently . 40 delegates are at stake .