While not always being the most accurate predictor of the GOP’s nominee, the CPAC straw poll is a good test of where the conservative base of the party is heading. It is also a good test of which candidates spend the most time and money organizing supporters to win the top spot. This year, it was Kentucky Senator Rand Paul who took the most votes followed closely by Florida Senator Marco Rubio.
Rand Paul – 25%
Marco Rubio – 23%
Rick Santorum – 8%
Chris Christie – 7%
Paul Ryan – 6%
Scott Walker – 5%
Ben Carson – 4%
Ted Cruz – 4%
Bobby Jindal – 3%
Sarah Palin – 3%
Other – 14%
Undecided – 1%
There were 23 candidates on the ballot and 44 write-ins.
Correction
The “Other” option was incorrectly marked at 34% by the source of my numbers. This is now correct at 14%. See this PDF from CPAC with the accurate numbers.