Mike Huckabee: South Carolina Conservatives Rally around Mike Huckabee in Straw Poll

September 21, 2007 -- LITTLE ROCK, AR – South Carolina conservatives continue to rally around Mike Huckabee. Last night, Mike Huckabee won the Palmetto Family Council Straw Poll, garnering 206 of the 539 votes cast. Huckabee was picked as the favorite at the largest gathering of South Carolina conservatives before the January 19 Republican Primary. Every Republican Presidential candidate, except Rudy Giuliani, stressed the priority of this event with their presence in person, by video, or via speakerphone.

Governor Huckabee responded to his victory by stating, "I'm pleased, and proud, and honored to have the support of so many South Carolinians who believe, as I do, in the core values which define American culture and life. Historically, South Carolina has chosen every Republican nominee since Ronald Reagan and the inception of the South Carolina Republican Primary. South Carolina is quickly becoming Huckabee Country as South Carolina conservatives continue to coalesce around one candidate and together we will prevail."

Article continues below...

Huckabee's victory comes just days after winning Monday's Value Voters Debate Straw Poll with 63% of the vote and continues a trend, which includes winning Monday's Value Voters Debate Straw Poll; a strong Second Place finish at the Republican Party of Iowa Straw Poll last month in Ames; and finishing first and second respectively in April straw polls in Spartanburg and Greenville counties, which combine to make up nearly 20% of the Republican primary vote.

Out of 539 votes cast:

Mike Huckabee - 206
Ron Paul - 179
Fred Thompson - 43
Sam Brownback - 29
Duncan Hunter - 25
Mitt Romney - 14
John McCain - 10
Rudy Giuliani - 5

Source: Mike Huckabee campaign