Republican Leadership Conference

The Southern Republican Leadership Conference (SRLC) is a political event held in the Southern United States before each presidential election. The event is attended by Republican Party activists, elected officials, and candidates for office. It has featured every major Republican presidential candidate since Ronald Reagan, and is best known for its presidential straw poll, which receives national media attention. In 2011, the event was dubbed the Republican Leadership Conference before restoring its original name for 2012.

2015 conference

Straw poll

Finish Candidate %
1 Ben Carson 25
2 Scott Walker 21
3 Ted Cruz 17

2014 conference

The 2014 Republican Leadership Conference was held in New Orleans, and featured various speakers such as RNC Chairman Reince Priebus, Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal, former Alaska Governor Sarah Palin, Phil Robertson of Duck Dynasty fame, Family Research Council head Tony Perkins, former Mississippi Governor Haley Barbour, businessman and later President Donald Trump, Louisiana Senator David Vitter, Colonel and former Congressman Allen West, former US Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich, Utah Senator Mike Lee, Texas senator Ted Cruz, businessman and former presidential candidate Herman Cain, former Pennsylvania senator and former presidential candidate Rick Santorum, Louisiana Congressman Bill Cassidy, Congresswoman and former presidential candidate Michele Bachmann, and Texas governor and former presidential candidate Rick Perry.

Straw poll

Texas senator Ted Cruz narrowly won the 2014 straw poll, barely defeating Dr. Ben Carson. Senator Rand Paul came in a distant third, while former Arkansas governor Mike Huckabee and Texas governor Rick Perry rounded out the top 5.

Finish Candidate %
1 Ted Cruz 30
2 Ben Carson 29
3 Rand Paul 10
4 Mike Huckabee 5
5 Rick Perry 5

2011 conference

The 2011 event featured various speakers, including Governors, Senators, state legislators, and authors. It was attended by several candidates, and potential candidates, for President of the United States, including Congresswoman Michele Bachmann, businessman Herman Cain, former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich, former Governor Gary Johnson, Congressman Ron Paul, Governor Rick Perry, former Governor Buddy Roemer and former Senator Rick Santorum.[1] Other speakers at the conference included Governors Bobby Jindal and Haley Barbour, and Barack Obama impersonator Reggie Brown.[2]

Straw poll

Congressman Ron Paul won the straw poll by a large margin, with Governor Jon Huntsman, Jr., who was scheduled to speak at the event but cancelled, placing second. Congresswoman Michele Bachmann and businessman Herman Cain placed in a close third and fourth.

Finish Candidate %
1 Ron Paul 41
2 Jon Huntsman 25
3 Michele Bachmann 13
4 Herman Cain 7
5 Mitt Romney 5
6 Newt Gingrich 5
7 Rick Santorum 2
8 Tim Pawlenty 1
9 Gary Johnson 1
10 Buddy Roemer 1
11 Thad McCotter <1

2010 conference

The 2010 convention was attended by U.S. Representative and 2008 presidential candidate Ron Paul of Texas;[3] Republican National Committee Chair Michael Steele;[4] and former Alaska Governor and 2008 vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin.[5]

Straw poll

Mitt Romney won the presidential straw poll by a single vote. Both Romney and Ron Paul received 24 per cent of the vote. Potential 2012 presidential candidates Senator John Thune of South Dakota, Governor Haley Barbour of Mississippi, Governor Bobby Jindal of Louisiana and Governor Rick Perry of Texas asked for their names not to be included on the straw poll ballot.[6]

If the primary election for president were held today, for whom would you vote?[7]
Candidate Votes %
Mitt Romney 439 24
Ron Paul 438 24
Sarah Palin 330 18
Newt Gingrich 321 18
Mike Huckabee 80 4
Mike Pence 58 3
Tim Pawlenty 54 3
Rick Santorum 41 2
Gary Johnson 3 1
Who would be your second choice in the Republican Primary Election for president?[7]
Candidate Votes %
Newt Gingrich 339 20
Sarah Palin 332 20
Mitt Romney 242 14
Mike Huckabee 178 11
Mike Pence 141 8
Rick Santorum 125 7
Tim Pawlenty 114 7
Gary Johnson 104 6
Ron Paul 98 6

2006 conference

Straw poll

Then-Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist won the 2006 straw poll.

2006 straw poll first choice results[8]
Candidate Votes %
Bill Frist 526 37
Mitt Romney 205 14
George Allen 147 10
George W. Bush 147 10
John McCain 66 5
Mike Huckabee 54 4
Write-in candidates other than Bush and Rice 43 3
George Pataki 38 3
Condoleezza Rice 32 2
Sam Brownback 22 2
Rudy Giuliani 15 1
Newt Gingrich 13 1
Chuck Hagel 3 <1

References

  1. ^ "Agenda « RLC 2011". www.rlc2011.com.
  2. ^ "President Obama impersonator pleases, then upsets GOP". Chicago Sun-Times. December 4, 2011.
  3. ^ Weigel, David (April 10, 2010). "After the boos, a better reception for Ron Paul". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on October 15, 2012. Retrieved April 11, 2010.
  4. ^ Grady, D.B. (April 10, 2010). "Steele, Stoic At SRLC". The Atlantic. Retrieved April 11, 2010.
  5. ^ Murray, Mark (April 9, 2010). "Palin takes on Obama at SRLC". msnbc.com. Archived from the original on April 12, 2010. Retrieved April 11, 2010.
  6. ^ Wilson, Reid (April 10, 2010). "Romney Takes Straw Poll". The Hotline. Archived from the original on April 15, 2010. Retrieved April 11, 2010.
  7. ^ a b "SRLC 2012 Presidential Straw Poll RESULTS". Wilson Research Strategies. April 10, 2010. Retrieved April 11, 2010.[permanent dead link‍]
  8. ^ "SRLC Straw Poll: Frist Wins; Romney Second". The Hotline. March 11, 2006. Archived from the original on September 5, 2009. Retrieved April 11, 2010.
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