New analysis by the Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life on the South Carolina Republican primary shows that Newt Gingrich received strong support (44%) from born-again/evangelical Christians and from voters who said that the religious beliefs of the candidates played an important role in their vote (46%). Gingrich also won a plurality of votes among Protestants (42%). Catholics in the National Election Pool exit poll were more evenly split between Gingrich (37%) and Mitt Romney (29%).

Romney (22%) and Rick Santorum (21%) finished far behind Gingrich among evangelical voters, while Ron Paul received 13% support from this group.

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