Missouri voters pick Romney over President Obama

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) -- Republican challenger Mitt Romney has defeated Democratic President Barack Obama in Missouri.

Romney's victory Tuesday in Missouri marks the second straight election that Obama has failed to carry the state.

Neither candidate mounted much of an effort in Missouri, as Obama essentially conceded the state early and Romney therefore focused his attention on other battleground states. After winning their parties' nominations, neither candidate held public campaign events in Missouri and neither ran Missouri-specific advertisements.

Missouri has historically been a bellwether state but has more recently titled toward Republicans in national elections. In 2008, Missouri voters narrowly chose Republican John McCain even though Obama won the presidency. Until then, Missouri voters had picked the presidential winner every time except once during the past century.