Causey wins big in biggest straw poll

73% of Wake County GOP Convention delegates vote for Mike Causey!

by Kristie Skinner Bass

RALEIGH, N.C. - Mike Causey is the favored insurance commissioner candidate among Republicans in Wake County, according to a straw poll conducted Thursday, March 22, at the Wake County Convention- North Carolina's largest Republican convention.

Hundreds of  convention delegates turned out Thursday evening to the NC State Fairgrounds' Kerr Scott Building to hear Herman Cain and participate in the Wake County Convention process. There were more people than chairs in the crowded convention hall.

Turnout at this county convention was the largest in the state, with close to 2,000 people, including candidates and guests.

Herman Cain was the star attraction. He gave a fiery speech that motivated the audience to roaring applause.

When the straw poll totals were announced, Mike Causey won the vote for insurance commissioner by an overwhelming 73% of the vote. He decisively defeated his two straw poll opponents, who garnered less than 14% each.

Actual vote totals:

CAUSEY  331 votes  = 73.1%

McCALL     63 votes  = 13.9%

MORGAN   59 votes  =  13%

This is the third major straw poll win by Mike Causey, as he previously won the Mecklenburg County GOP straw poll with 66% of the vote and the Union County GOP straw poll with more than 80% of the vote.

"I thank the delegates and my supporters in Wake County for this vote of confidence," said Causey. Chad Price, a campaign helper for the Mike Causey Campaign, said, "You didn't just win, Mike, you stomped 'em!"

Although Thursday's straw poll gave Causey extra momentum, he said that the real test lies ahead in the coming weeks. "These straw polls make good publicity, but the only vote that counts is on Election Day," Causey concluded.

Now it's on the the big weekend events, more speeches and handshakes.

-ksb