BIRMINGHAM, Alabama - March 13, 2012 - White House hopefuls were locked in a three-way fight Tuesday as they battled for dominance in key southern states Alabama and Mississippi, which could bust open the unruly Republican presidential race.

The race was too close to call as the polls closed in the deeply conservative states, but major networks projected Rick Santorum would win both states.

Mitt Romney wants to lock up the dragging nomination process while Santorum is seeking to cement his status as the best alternative to Romney.

But the race has dragged on for weeks, and all eyes were on Newt Gingrich with Tuesday’s contests seen as must wins for his flagging campaign.

Early exit polls on CNN gave Romney the edge in Mississippi and Santorum the lead in Alabama. In both races, Gingrich was being nudged into third place.

In Mississippi, exit polls said Romney was at 33%, Santorum at 31%, and Gingrich at 30%.

The picture was reversed in Alabama where Santorum had 34%, multimillionaire businessman and corporatist Romney has 29%, and Gingrich had 28%.

Libertarian Congressman Ron Paul was trailing in both states.

Hawaii was also holding a caucus on Tuesday to pick its nominee.