A major victory for Mitt Romney in Florida.

The former Massachusetts governor scored a significant win in the Republican race for the White House, beating out Newt Gingrich.

(SOUNDBITE) (English) MITT ROMNEY, REPUBLICAN PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE, SAYING:

"Primary contests are not easy - and they're not supposed to be. As this primary unfolds, our opponents in the other party have been watching. They like to comfort themselves with the thought that a competitive campaign will leave us divided and weak. But I've got some news for them: A competitive primary does not divide us; it prepares us. And when we gather here in Tampa seven months from now for our convention, ours will be a united party with a winning ticket for America!

The Florida win helps Romney take a big step towards his goal of winning the party's nomination to challenge President Barack Obama in the Nov. 6 election.

Gingrich, a former Speaker of the House of Representatives, came in second after a contentious battle in the so-called Sunshine State.

But he is vowing to fight on

(SOUNDBITE) (English) NEWT GINGRICH, REPUBLICAN PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE SAYING:

"I think Florida did something very important. It is now clear this will be a two person race between the conservative leader Newt Gingrich and the Massachusetts moderate."

Despite his edge in Florida, Romney still narrowly trails Gingrich in some national polls.

The next test comes February 4th when Nevada holds its caucus.

Sophia Soo, Reuters