Romney wins New Hampshire Republican Party Committee Straw Poll

Washington, Jan 23 (ANI): Former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney has won the first presidential straw poll of New Hampshire Republican State Committee members sponsored by ABC News and WMUR and sanctioned by the state Republican Party.

Romney won with 35 percent of the total vote, beating second-place finisher Ron Paul, R-Texas, by 24 points, the Politico reports.

Former Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty, who visits the state this week, had 8 percent, with 2008 vice presidential nominee former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin at 7 percent.

The Politico quoted New Hampshire Republican consultant Jim Merrill, who ran Romney's New Hampshire PAC in 2008, as saying: "It shows that Romney has a core of support here in the state and they are obviously part of the party structure and they came out and gave him their support today."

The "straw poll" was open to the 426 registered members of the New Hampshire Republican State Committee. Sixty-five percent participated. (ANI)