ABJ - May 23 - A pair of victories in yesterday’s Arkansas and Kentucky state primaries helped former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney secure another 75 delegates in the GOP race and inch closer to the Republican Party nomination.

Now with 1,065 delegates, Romney is just 79 delegates away from securing the 1,144 delegates needed for the Republican nomination. Aside from Romney, Texas Congressman Ron Paul is the only other Republican left in the race, though he holds just 119 delegates.

Kentucky provided Romney with 45 delegates, after he secured 67 per cent of the vote in the Bluegrass State. By popular vote, Romney’s total (117,396) was a significant lead to Paul (22,044).

Romney added another 36 delegates in Arkansas where he secured 68 per cent of the vote and a 102,930 popular vote. Paul finished with a 20,238 popular vote in Arkansas.

Among GOP voters, Romney has tallied a 6.89 million popular vote (45.6 per cent) throughout the primary season. Several former GOP candidates, including Pennsylvania Senator Rick Santorum and Texas Governor Rick Perry, have endorsed Romney.

Eight state primaries and caucuses remain, but a strong showing in the Texas proportional primary, held May 29, where 155 delegates are up for grabs, could seal the win for Romney.