Decorah Republicans favor Mitt Romney

More than 300 Decorah area Republicans attended caucuses at Carrie Lee Elementary School in Decorah on Tuesday night.

The large turnout came to hear speeches in favor of various Republican presidential candidates,

Luther College student John Anders said he was voting for Congressman Ron Paul, someone Anders called "trustworthy and loyal to the Constitution."

Ray Wenthold spoke in favor of former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney, saying "He's a good businessman and he'd make a good president, too."

Decorah resident Dennis Peterson said he was supporting former Pennsylvania Senator Rick Santorum because of Santorum's pro-life views and because "he can be trusted."

Ballots were then distributed at six different caucuses at the school.  Former Congressman Newt Gingrich won three of the caucuses, with Ron Paul winning two and Romney winning one.  But when the total votes were counted, it was Romney who came out on top.

Unofficial results from Decorah area Republican caucuses:

Mitt Romney     91 votes
Ron Paul          82 votes
Newt Gingrich   77 votes
Rick Santorum  46 votes

The other three Republican presidential candidates--Rick Perry, Michelle Bachmann and John Huntsman--never finished higher than fourth in any of the caucuses in Decorah.

Ray Wenthold supported Mitt Romney

Decorah resident Larry Thompson was a Rick Perry supporter

Luther student John Anders spoke in favor of Ron Paul

Dennis Peterson backed Rick Santorum