In what was a close race, Republican presidential candidate Michele Bachmann won the widely-anticipated Ames Straw Poll in Iowa on Saturday. Read more details after the jump!!
(HP)–The conservative congresswoman came out on top in the event with 4,823 votes. U.S. Rep. Ron Paul came in second with 4,671 votes.
Former Minnesota governor Tim Pawlenty secured 2,293 votes. Former U.S. Senator Rick Santorum earned 1,657. Former Godfather’s Pizza CEO Herman Cain locked-up 1,456 votes. Former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney, who did not actively campaign in the event, captured 567 votes. Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich, who also did not aggressively look to secure support in the straw poll, got 385 votes. U.S. Rep Thad McCotter, a longshot contender, received 35 votes.
The result is the first indication of what Iowans think of the field of Republicans competing for the chance to challenge President Barack Obama next fall. But it’s hardly predictive of who will win the winter Iowa contest, much less the party nod or the White House.
The results of this nonbinding vote, held on the Iowa State University campus, came just hours after Texas Gov. Rick Perry entered the race.
“I full well believe I’m going to win,” Perry told South Carolina voters on a conference call before delivering his first speech as a candidate.
Despite Perry’s best efforts to overshadow the day, the epicenter of the presidential contest was in this Midwestern town, where Iowans cast ballots during a daylong political festival, a late-summer ritual held every four years.
Ron Paul for Prez!!