Texas Republican Congressman Ron Paul has won the Saddle Up Texas Straw Poll, the latest straw poll victory for the Republican presidential candidate.
More than 3,300 people voted in the straw poll. Mr. Paul received a solid majority, with more than 54 percent support. The Texas Republican was followed by former House Speaker Newt Gingrich, who received 24 percent support. Former Pennsylvania U.S. Senator Rick Santorum received 21 percent, Texas Republican Governor Rick Perry received the support of 19 percent of voters, while former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney received the support of just 6.6 percent of voters. Former Utah Governor Jon Huntsman received the support of 1 percent of voters.
There were 707 paper ballots counted, with Ron Paul finishing in first place with nearly 28 percent of the votes.
The poll comes as Mr. Paul is widely seen as trailing Mr. Romney for the Republican nomination. The former Massachusetts governor has secured victories in New Hampshire and Iowa in recent weeks, and recent polls show the Massachusetts Republican leading in South Carolina.
The poll is likely a blow to Mr. Perry, the state’s governor. The Texas Republican has struggled to gain support in recent months. Mr. Perry, who entered the race in August of 2011, was widely seen as a major force to compete against Mr. Romney, yet since entering the race, the Texas Republican has struggled to overcome as series of debate flops and mistakes.
