Mike Huckabee with press at Council Bluffs Pizza Ranch
Photo credit: Dave Davidson – Prezography.com
Mike Huckabee with press at Council Bluffs Pizza RanchPhoto credit: Dave Davidson - Prezography.com
Mike Huckabee with press at Council Bluffs Pizza Ranch
Photo credit: Dave Davidson – Prezography.com

Former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee has decided to forego the quadrennial Iowa Straw Poll  (to be held in Boone, not Ames this year) He states that the expense and efforts are not worth it when only conservative candidates show up, leaving establishment candidates in a better position to go forward.

He also intimates that the last winner of the straw poll in 2007 (Michelle Bachmann) did not fare well in the caucuses. Mitt Romney finished 7th in the straw poll, but came close to beating Rick Santorum in the caucuses, who had finished 4th in the straw poll and won the caucuses. Ron Paul finished 2nd in 2007 in the straw poll.

Huckabee summarized his position this way:

History will repeat itself if we don’t learn from the past. It’s clear that pitting conservative candidates with limited resources against each other in a non-binding and expensive summer straw poll battle, while allowing billionaire-backed establishment candidates to sit out, will only wound and weaken the conservative candidates who best represent conservative and hard-working Iowans.

Jeb Bush had previously announced that he would not participate.

Huckabee is quick to say that he is not writing off the Iowa Caucuses, but states he intends to fight for every vote there and visit the state as frequently as he did in 2008, when he won the Iowa Caucus. The straw poll will be held  August 8th, this year.

His announcement was sent to his supporters by email, prior to it being published as an op-ed piece in the Des Moines Register, this morning.

You May Also Like

Trump Calls for a Halt to Muslims Entering the United States

Donald Trump called for a “total and complete shutdown” of all Muslims entering into the United States until authorities can “figure out what is going on.”

Sherman: It’s a No-Brainer for Second Amendment Voters – Ernst All the Way!

Steve Sherman: I cannot more strongly endorse U.S. Senator Joni Ernst based on her strong defense of the Second Amendment.

Jeremy Taylor Files Nearly 3500 Signatures in Iowa’s 4th Congressional District

Jeremy Taylor delivered almost 3500 nomination petition signatures to appear on the Republican ballot in Iowa’s 4th Congressional District race.

Ted Cruz Torpedoes Future White House Bid With Trump Endorsement

Adam Graham: Regardless of what happens in this year’s election, Ted Cruz will not be elected President in 2020 after his endorsement of Donald Trump.