Delta County Republicans led support for the social conservative message of Rick Santorum at local precinct caucuses held on Feb. 7.

The county's Republicans gave Santorum 56.6 percent of the ballots cast, a higher percentage of votes than he received from any other county in State Senate District 5, or in State House Districts 61 and 54.

By contrast, Republicans in Pitkin County, which shares representation in both houses of the Legislature with Delta County, went for Mitt Romney giving him 86 percent of their votes.

Santorum was the winner among Republicans statewide also, finishing with 40.3 percent to Romney's 34.8.

Santorum's caucus victory here, and in Minnesota, and Missouri caucuses on the same night, was reported nationally as a surprise win.

Delta County's results were Santorum 471 votes, 56.6 percent; Romney 190 votes, 22.8 percent; Newt Gingrich 92 votes, 11 percent; and, Ron Paul 77 votes, 9.2 percent. There were two write-in votes cast.

The top two finishers by percentage of ballots cast at party caucuses held in the other State Senate District 5 counties were as follows:

• Pitkin, Romney 83, Ron Paul 31;

• Eagle, Romney 46, Paul 19;

• Gunnison, Santorum 34, Paul 33;

• Chaffee, Santorum 39, Romney 24;

• Lake, Romney 18, Santorum 18.

• Hinsdale, Santorum 22, Gingrich 18.

Caucus results for Summit County, which is in State House District 61 with the eastern portion of Delta County, were Romney 42 percent, Santorum 21.

Mesa County, a large portion of which shares State House District 54 representation with the City of Delta, voted Santorum 46 percent, Romney 35.