Former Pennsylvania senator Rick Santorum was Tuesday projected to win the Republican presidential primary in the southern state of Alabama. With 53 percent of the vote counted, Santorum led with 35 percent. Rivals Newt Gingrich and Mitt Romney were on 30 and 28 percent respectively. With 86 percent of Mississippi precincts reporting, Mr Santorum was also leading with 33 percent of the vote, former House speaker Mr Gingrich had 32 percent and the ex-governor of Massachusetts Romney was on 30 percent.