Columbia, South Carolina, Safar 28, 1433, Jan 22, 2012, SPA - Newt Gingrich won Saturday's South Carolina GOP presidential primary, marking a stunning turnaround for a candidate who finished fourth in Iowa and New Hampshire. With about 95% of polling places reporting, Gingrich had 40% of the vote, with former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney getting 27% and former U.S. Sen. Rick Santorum getting 17%. U.S. Rep. Ron Paul of Texas had 13%. Based on early returns and exit polls, CNN projected Gingrich the winner. In his victory speech to supporters, Gingrich thanked "everyone in South Carolina who decided to be with us in changing Washington." --SPA 11:21 LOCAL TIME 08:21 GMT www.spa.gov.sa/963398