Congresswoman Michele Bachmann (R-MN) won the 2011 Iowa straw poll with 28.55 percent of the vote, Congressman Ron Paul (R-TX) finished second with 27.65 percent and former Minn. Gov. Tim Pawlenty finished a distant third 13.57 percent.
From the Wall Street Journal:
None of the 16,892 votes filed at Iowa State University in Ames will count toward the Republican nomination, but the straw poll is likely to separate the top contenders for the nomination from candidates unable to muster the organization or the passion to make a final charge.
Mrs. Bachmann garnered 4,823 votes. Mr. Paul was close behind with 4,671.
Mr. Pawlenty received 2,293 votes after pouring money and time into organizing for the contest.
Rick Santorum was fourth followed by Herman Cain. Texas Gov. Rick Perry, who just announced his candidacy this afternoon received 718 write-in votes (3.6%) and finish ahead of former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney and former House Speaker Newt Gingrich.
Here’s the final numbers:
- Congresswoman Michele Bachmann (4823, 28.55%)
- Congressman Ron Paul (4671, 27.65%)
- Governor Tim Pawlenty (2293, 13.57%)
- Senator Rick Santorum (1657, 9.81%)
- Herman Cain (1456, 8.62%)
- Governor Rick Perry (718, 3.62%) write-in
- Governor Mitt Romney (567, 3.36%)
- Speaker Newt Gingrich (385, 2.28%)
- Governor Jon Huntsman (69, 0.41%)
- Congressman Thad McCotter (35, 0.21%)