Obama wins 2012 presidential election, defeats Romney in tight race

President Barack Obama was projected the winner of the presidential race over Mitt Romney on Tuesday night.

The president scored critical wins in Ohio, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin. While Obama was favored in the swing states going into Election Day, the popular vote between the pair of contenders had remained close for much of the race.

Minutes after his victory was announced, the President tweeted: 'We're all in this together. That's how we campaigned, and that's who we are. Thank you.' He also posted a picture of himself embracing his wife Michelle - and the post rapidly became the most popular tweet of all time.