Romney Wins Iowa GOP Straw Poll

At the end of the day, former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney took a step forward in his quest for the Republican nomination for president, easily winning the straw poll of party loyalists, taking 31.5 percent of the total votes cast for a total of 4,516. The results could provide Romney’s campaign with momentum going into the fall and almost certainly spells the end for one candidacy.

"The people of this great state have sent a message to the rest of the country," said Romney. "Change starts in Iowa."

“This important victory sends a signal to grassroots Republican activists across the country that we are working hard to earn their support, and that we are ready to begin the work of strengthening our economy, our military and our families,” Romney added in a statement issued by his campaign.