Romney0131bTAMPA, Fla. (AP) — Mitt Romney won a commanding victory in the Florida primary Tuesday night, rebounding from defeat and taking a significant step toward the Republican presidential nomination. Despite the setback, Newt Gingrich vowed to press on.

Returns from 38 percent of Florida’s precincts showed Romney with 48 percent of the vote, to 31 percent for Gingrich.

Former Pennsylvania Sen. Rick Santorum had 13 percent, and Texas Rep. Ron Paul 7 percent. Neither mounted a substantial effort in the state.

The winner-take-all primary was worth 50 Republican National Convention delegates.

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Look for a WORLDmag.com Web Extra report from Washington Bureau chief Edward Lee Pitts later this evening.