Mitt Romney has won the 2012 Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) straw poll, according to a report on CNN's Political Ticker.


Romney had been the race's presumed front runner for weeks, but a string of victories in midwestern caucuses has vaulted former Pennsylvania Senator Rick Santorum into the lead in some national polls. Governor Romney received 38% of the vote in the straw poll, followed by Santorum at 31%. Former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich received 15% of the vote, with Texas Representative Ron Paul coming in last with 12%.