Texas Sen. Ted Cruz Saturday won the straw poll of presidential candidates for the third straight year at the Family Research Council's Values Voter Summit in Washington.
The Republican presidential candidate took 35 percent of the votes cast by those attending the three-day summit, which also ended Saturday, T
he Washington Times reports.
Retired pediatric neurosurgeon Dr. Ben Carson, who also is seeking the White House, placed second — at 18 percent.
In the vice presidential poll, Carson led the field, followed by former Hewlett-Packard CEO Carly Fiorina and Cruz.
Here's the remaining top presidential finishers in the poll:
- Former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee: 14 percent.
- Florida Sen. Marco Rubio: 13 percent.
- Businessman Donald Trump: 5 percent.
"The Values Voters Summit is not just a snapshot of social conservatives across the country. It is social-conservative influencers," said FRC President Tony Perkins. "These are people who take time and resources to come here, who are engaged. They go back home and they are influencers."
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