Republicans Pick Romney in Idaho Straw Poll
By Anna Webb, The Idaho Statesman, Boise
Jan. 13–Idaho’s Republican Party faithful got a jump start on the presidential election at the Party’s State Central Committee meeting Saturday in Boise with a nonbinding straw poll naming former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney the party nominee.
The poll of 89 current and past committee members gave Romney 42 votes, while Sen. Fred Thompson of Tennessee got 21 votes.
The poll was highly informal — the ballot box was a slightly scruffy cardboard container — but its outcome didn’t surprise Secretary of State Ben Ysursa.
"Romney is the only candidate who’s visited Idaho," Ysursa said.
Romney has been in the Gem State a number of times, including a visit in 2006 when he was chairman of the Republican Governors Association. He stumped for then-gubernatorial candidate Butch Otter.
Owyhee County Republican Committee member Joan Mason participated in Saturday’s straw poll. She doesn’t yet know which candidate Idaho Republicans will ultimately choose for the presidential race.
This contest is unusual, she said, because of the lack of consensus among her fellow Republican voters.
"Most people tell me they like one of the candidates, but they don’t think he’ll win," Mason said.
Ronalee Linsenmann, president of the Canyon County Republican Women, agreed that this presidential election is unlike others in the past.
"We usually have a resounding, clear-cut favorite," Linsenmann said. "This year, there are a lot of flavors."
The uncertainty comes with an upside, she added: "It makes it feel like citizens will have a real impact on the vote."
Idaho’s official state primary is May 27.
Anna Webb: 377-6431
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