Rand Paul Wins CPAC Straw Poll For Third Year in a Row

Rand Paul Won the 17-Person Poll

Senator Rand Paul, from Kentucky, came out on top in the CPAC Straw Poll for the third year in a row.  The Conservative Political Action Committee held its annual three day convention in Washington, DC.  While Paul’s third consecutive win is impressive, the winner of the Straw Poll has gone on to become the Republican nominee only 20% of the time.  Mitt Romney still has the most wins, with 5.

The CPAC tends to be much younger and more conservative than the older, more middle-ground Republican base.  About half of the attendees to the convention were 25 or younger, and Rand Paul’s popularity with college students is well known, as is his father Ron Paul’s popularity.  Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker came second in the poll, ahead of Senator Ted Cruz.