Sen. Ted Cruz Wins Values Voter Summit Straw Poll

WASHINGTON, Oct. 12, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- U.S. Senator Ted Cruz (R-Texas) has won Family Research Council Action's 2013 Values Voter Summit Straw Poll, receiving 42 percent of the votes cast. Dr. Ben Carson finished in second place, with one vote separating him from former Sen. Rick Santorum (R-Pa.). They each finished with 13 percent of the vote. Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) came in fourth and Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fl.) came in fifth, with six percent and five percent respectively.

Dr. Carson won the vice presidential straw poll, with 21 percent of votes cast. Sen. Cruz came in second with 17 percent and Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-Minn.) was third with nine percent of the vote.

Over 2,200 people were registered for the eighth annual Values Voter Summit. Only FRC Action members who were present at the event were allowed to vote.  

Family Research Council Action President Tony Perkins released the following statement in reaction to the 2013 Values Voter Summit Straw Poll:

"The Values Voter straw poll reveals what conservative, Republican-leaning voters are looking for in a potential candidate.  Values voters are looking for those who will refuse to be bound by the 'can't mentality' of the establishment and will challenge the status quo. 

"In short, values voters, many of whom did not fully engage in the last election, are looking for a leader that will inspire them by challenging  President Obama and speak clearly and directly to the challenges facing America," Perkins said.

The following are the straw poll results:

For more information on the Values Voter Summit, log onto www.valuesvotersummit.org. 

SOURCE Family Research Council Action