Cuban-Americans are deeply committed voters. And Romney has strong support among the influential Cuban-American establishment. Older exiles also tend to vote heavily through absentee ballots, where the former Massachusetts governor all but certainly has an edge.

And the candidate’s emphasis on fixing the economy is resonating with some backers who care more about jobs than US policy toward Cuba.

During the past week, a series of polls have shown Romney pulling ahead of chief challenger Newt Gingrich in the run up to Tuesday’s primary.