JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) - Rick Santorum has won the Missouri Republican primary, a nonbinding election that carries bragging rights but does not award any delegates in the race for the presidential nomination.

Missouri will pick its delegates at caucuses next month.

The real contests Tuesday night were in GOP caucuses in Minnesota and Colorado.

And early on Santorum gained a solid lead over rival Mitt Romney in Minnesota's caucuses.
    
With 28 percent of the precincts reporting, Santorum has 45 percent support, followed by Texas congressman Ron Paul with 27 percent and Romney with 17 percent. Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich was last with about 11 percent.

At 10:30 p.m. Eastern time, CBS News declared Rick Santoum the winner of the Minnesota caucus.

Republican Ron Paul says front-runner Mitt Romney's inability to brush back challenges "opens up the door" to him and others looking to deny him the presidential nomination.

The Texas congressman was a strong second in early returns in Minnesota's caucuses.

Paul has invested plenty of time and money in Minnesota as he searched for the first victory of his campaign. He says he's happy with the results and will shift his sights to Maine, where caucus results are due Saturday.

Check back with WINK News for regular updates on tonight's primary and caucuses.