Chesterfield, New Baltimore Primary Election Voters Choose Romney

A majority of Chesterfield and New Baltimore Republican voters favor Mitt Romney, according to Tuesday night primary election results.

Chesterfield Township

Romney edged out fellow candidates with 1,788 of the 5,112 votes in Chesterfield. Rick Santorum came in a close second with 1,510 votes, Ron Paul got 521 votes and Newt Gingrich trailed behind with 354 votes.

Democrats showed their support of President Barack Obama with 670 votes in the township. While, 140 of the voters were uncommitted.

New Baltimore

In neighboring New Baltimore, voters painted a similar picture with their ballots.

There, Romney won 516 total votes out of 1,401. Santorum placed second with 417, Paul got 162 and Gingrich 84. Obama supporters cast 164 votes and 30 voters were uncommitted.

One-hundred-percent of the precincts reported the results, according to the Macomb County Elections Department.

Statewide

of the primary by both the Associated Press and NBC News at approximately 10:25 p.m. Tuesday night.

Issues drive voters to polls

Earlier Tuesday, New Baltimore resident Greg Rich, 62, said he was mainly driven to the polls in hopes of unseating Obama.

“No. 1, I want Obama out of office,” said Rich, adding that he had many other reasons for supporting another candidate he declined to identify.

He also noted he would like that person, if elected, to repeal Obama’s health care reform and protect U.S. borders.

Fellow New Baltimore resident Darlene Domasiewicz, 64, said she came to cast her vote for Romney.

While Romney’s Michigan roots didn’t play a role in her decision, she says he’s the right man to represent Americans on domestic issues, such as gas prices, housing and taxes.

“Even though he’s not perfect, I think he’s still the best for me,” she said.

County chairwoman weighs in

Macomb County Board of Commissioners Chairwoman Kathy Vosburg of Chesterfield said Tuesday night that local residents leaned toward Romney "because of Romney's problem-solving skills and ability to turn things around."

Vosburg, a Republican who is deeply involved in the Chesterfield added, "I did vote today but I'm going to support whoever wins the primary."

Marina Cracchiolo contributed to this report.