Surging Scott Walker picks up GOP presidential straw poll victory in Kansas
Gov. Scott Walker of Wisconsin was the first choice of Kansas Republicans in a presidential straw poll conducted during this weekend’s party convention in Topeka.
Walker tallied more votes than physician Ben Carson in the informal poll of more than 170 state GOP committee members in Topeka. Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas was third.
Walker’s showing capped a good weekend for his campaign. A Des Moines Register poll showed him narrowly leading in Iowa, which holds its caucuses a year from now.
But the Kansas straw poll results also showed the wide variety of choices facing Republican voters next year. Twenty-one potential presidential candidates received votes, including former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush, Sen. Rand Paul and former vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin.
Mitt Romney received two votes, even though he withdrew from presidential consideration Friday.
The poll was part of the Kansas GOP’s annual Kansas Day convention in Topeka. The gathering included most of the state’s prominent Republicans, including Gov. Sam Brownback.
Former Sen. Bob Dole was honored as the party’s volunteer of the year. The 91-year-old Dole recently toured every Kansas county and campaigned in the state for the Republican ticket.
Rep. Lynn Jenkins of the Kansas 2nd district accepted the award on Dole’s behalf.
To reach Dave Helling, call 816-234-4656 or send email to dhelling@kcstar.com.
This story was originally published February 1, 2015 at 7:32 AM with the headline "Surging Scott Walker picks up GOP presidential straw poll victory in Kansas."