Rick Santorum is expected to find some new wind in his sails this morning as Republicans caucus in Kansas, where he is the favorite. But Mitt Romney has already started the day by picking up 18 delegates from the Pacific, sweeping Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands.

Mitt Romney speaks at the Mississippi Farmers Market in Jackson, Miss., Friday, March 9, 2012. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)

That could be about as many delegates as Mr. Santorum winds up drawing from Kansas, whose 40 delegates are divided under a proportional system that could reward the second- and third-place finishers.

The results from the Pacific show Mr. Romney’s organizational strength and establishment support once again. He’s been able to keep his eye on the broadest set of nominating contests. While campaigning in Mississippi and Alabama late this week, Mr. Romney sent his son, Matt, to Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands as part of his hunt for delegates.

The voting in Guam featured something new for this year’s election cycle: It was done by a show of hands, the Associated Press reports. Some 215 people voted.

In the Northern Mariana Islands, Mr. Romney won 87% of the 848 votes cast Saturday on the main islands of Saipan, Tinian and Rota, the AP said.

Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands are U.S. territories. Delegates from the two nominating contests are not formally required to vote for Mr. Romney, but they are considered likely to do so.

Beyond Kansas, an additional nine delegates are up for grabs yet today in the U.S. Virgin Islands.