Nevada congressman calls on Gingrich to drop out

Rep. Joe Heck (R-Nev.), a supporter of Mitt Romney, called on Newt Gingrich to drop out of the race for the Republican presidential nomination.

Romney won big in the Nevada caucuses on Saturday, besting the former Speaker by a wide margin.

“I hope he takes the message that it's time to withdraw gracefully and not continue to divide the party,” Heck told reporters, according to reports.

Gingrich has taken flak from many Republicans over his brutal attacks on Romney's record at Bain Capital in the run-up to the South Carolina primary. Gingrich, however, vowed to stay in the race after his double-digit loss in Florida on Tuesday and in the run-up to Nevada's contest.

Heck has been a strong supporter of Romney since his 2008 campaign.

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