Thompson Wins Surprise Write-In Victory in HRCC Straw Poll
(St. Paul) Hundreds of Republican activists gathered at the St. Paul River Center to cast ballots in a non-binding Presidential Preference Straw Poll Wednesday night. The poll was sponsored in conjunction with a House Republican fundraiser and included party leaders, Republican Legislators, Former Republican Lawmakers, party activists and boosters for various candidates.
Results of the Minnesota Republican Presidential Straw Poll are as follows:
Former Senator Fred Thompson of Tennessee won a narrow victory, although his name was not on the ballot. As Thompson is not an officially announced candidate, voters had to physically write in his name as their preferred candidate.
House Republican Leader Marty Seifert (R-Marshall) said that it was an exciting event and that the margins were interesting and close. "This shows that the opinions of the Republican Presidential candidates in Minnesota are mixed and up for grabs," Seifert said. "The National Convention will be held in this same building complex roughly a year from now, so this helps kick off some interest."
John Cox, a Chicago businessman, spoke at the event in person and three candidates addressed the crowd via speakerphone and were interviewed live by talk show host Jason Lewis at the event.
