Alabama Primary

New York business tycoon Michael Bloomberg has paved the way for a shot at the US presidency, registering as a candidate in the Alabama Democratic primary race before Friday's filing deadline.

Rick Santorum has swept the Republican's fight for the South, winning Alabama and Mississippi. With 71 per cent of the vote counted in Alabama, Santorum had 35 per cent, Newt Gingrich had 30 per cent and Mitt Romney had 28 per cent.

New York business tycoon Michael Bloomberg has paved the way for a shot at the US presidency, registering as a candidate in the Alabama Democratic primary race before Friday's filing deadline.

Rick Santorum has swept the Republican's fight for the South, winning Alabama and Mississippi. With 71 per cent of the vote counted in Alabama, Santorum had 35 per cent, Newt Gingrich had 30 per cent and Mitt Romney had 28 per cent.