CNN: Romney will win Puerto Rico's GOP primary, Completes Sweep of Territories

San Juan, Puerto Rico (CNN) -- Mitt Romney will win Sunday's Republican presidential primary in Puerto Rico, CNN projects, based on vote results obtained from local party and election officials.

At 7:22 p.m. ET, with about 18% of total ballots accounted for, the former Massachusetts governor had a substantial lead with more than nearly 20,000 votes -- or 83% of the votes.

Rick Santorum was a distant second, at 8% with slightly less than 2,000 votes.

The other two candidates, former House Speaker Newt Gingrich and Texas Rep. Ron Paul, were further behind with 3% and 1% of the vote respectively.

Romney had entered the contest in Puerto Rico, where 20 convention delegates are up for grabs, as the favorite. He was largely backed by the island government's political establishment, including Gov. Luis Fortuno, who campaigned with Romney last week.

By winning the territory, Romney will be awarded 20 delegates, according to a CNN projection.

read … Romney Puerto Rico

LINK: Results from the commonwealth of Puerto Rico

Chicago Tribune: Chicago Tribune: Romney's "island strategy" pays off in delegate race

Washington Examiner: York: Why do islands play key role in GOP race?

HFP: Romney Sweeps Pacific: Wins Alaska, Guam, CNMI, heads for Am Samoa, Hawaii