(Columbus) - The Ohio Republican Party announced today the results of its 2007 Presidential Straw Poll, declaring former U.S. Sen. Fred
Thompson the winner with 33 percent of the vote.
Former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani took second with 24 percent, and former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney placed third with
17 percent of the ballots cast.
"Ohio historically plays a central and often deciding role in choosing the next president, but we wanted to give voters here a voice in the
primary process as well," said Ohio Republican Party Deputy Chairman Kevin DeWine.
Political observers agree the race for the 2008 GOP presidential nomination is wide open at this point, and Ohio could play an important
role in choosing the nominee when voters here go to the polls on March 4.
"Your participation in the straw poll not only provides an early indication of how Ohio will vote but also demostrates your support of
building a strong grassroots organization through our state party," DeWine told the nearly 2,300 Ohioans who cast a straw poll ballot.
The official results of the Ohio Republican Party Presidential Straw Poll are as follows:
Fred Thompson 33%
Rudy Giuliani 24%
Mitt Romney 17%
John McCain 11%
Mike Huckabee 7%
Sam Brownback 4%
Duncan Hunter 2%
Ron Paul 1%
Tom Tancredo 1%
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