Iowa GOP Chair Said it Will Take Longer to Declare Straw Poll Winner

Iowa GOP Chairman Matt Strawn said during a press conference at the Gateway Hotel in Ames today that it may take longer than usual to announce the winner of the Saturday's Straw Poll, because write-ins will be allowed on the ballot for the first time.

Casey Mills, Iowa Straw Poll spokesman, said party leaders expect results by 6 p.m. Voting ends at 4 p.m. but Strawn said the result may come later if there are a number of write-ins.

Nine candidates --- U.S. Rep. Michelle Bachmann, of Minnesota, Herman Cain, of Georgia, former U.S. House Speaker Newt Gingrich, former Utah Gov. Jon Huntsman, U.S. Rep. Thaddeus McCotter, of Michigan, former Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty; U.S. Rep. Ron Paul, of Texas; Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney and former Pennsylvania Sen. Rick Santorum --- are on the ballot.

Iowans' ability to pick the candidate who will go on to secure the presidential nomination has been debated recently and some other states are trying to be first, however Strawn said that the Iowa Straw Poll is still as important as ever. The fact that National GOP Chairman Reince Priebus will attend the Fox debate Thursday proves that, Strawn said.

“It sends a strong signal to those other states that are out of compliance on the caucus calendar that the RNC means business,” Strawn said.

Iowa's caucus takes place in February but the outcome of the Straw Poll is a good initial test, he said.

People who are willing to take a bus to Ames in August are the same people who will go to their precinct on a cold winter night, Strawn said.

Candidates' presence at the Straw Poll is equally important, he said.

Strawn said he knows of many people who remain undecided until hearing candidates' speeches at the Straw Poll.