Texas Congressman Ron Paul, a candidate for the Republican presidential nomination, demonstrated his popularity Thursday by winning the Dubuque Tea Party straw poll with 42.9 percent of the votes. Texas Governor Rick Perry, who was once a GOP frontrunner, grabbed 2nd place with 26.2 percent of the votes. Pizza magnate Herman Cain finished in 3rd place with 11.9 percent of the votes.
Mr. Paul’s numerous straw poll victories, including a second place finish at the Ames Straw Poll in Iowa, suggest that the Texas congressman is adept at rallying his supporters to various GOP events. Mr. Paul’s ardent group of supporters will come into play on January 3rd for the Iowa caucuses.
According to a Ron Paul campaign press release, approximately 90 Dubuque Tea Party members participated in the Dubuque Tea Party straw poll. After five elimination rounds, in which Mr. Paul won each round, the Texas congressman was declared the winner. In the final round, former House Speaker Newt Gingrich, who leads the GOP pack in Iowa and in several national level polls, pulled in 24 votes compared to Mr. Paul’s 59 votes.
Mr. Gingrich and former Pennsylvania Senator Rick Santorum called into the Dubuque Tea Party straw poll. Mr. Gingrich answered several questions, while Mr. Santorum was represented by a surrogate. However, Mr. Paul was represented by Dubuque Tea Party co-founder Jeff Luecke. Luecke endorsed Mr. Paul for the GOP nomination in June.
“The Iowa team is gratified that Ron Paul supporters within the Dubuque Tea Party delivered our candidate a decisive victory. We have always said that Ron Paul and tea party supporters have shared values, and today’s results illustrate crossover support in addition to organizational muscle,” Ron Paul 2012 Iowa Campaign Chairman Drew Ivers professed in a campaign press release.
Mr. Paul was endorsed by another co-founder of the Dubuque Tea Party Wednesday. Michael Heeren endorsed Mr. Paul for the GOP nomination, calling him a “champion of the Constitution.”
“Dr. Paul believes in fiscal responsibility, free markets and a Constitutionally-limited government. Since 1976 in the U.S. House of Representatives, every single vote he has made, without exception, can be traced to these principles,” said Mr. Heeren.
