MOSES LAKE - Grant County Republican Party caucus straw poll results on March 3 mirrored what happened across the state, GCRP Chair Dani Bolyard has reported.

Former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney was the winner.

Three hundred fifty-one voters chose Romney, 188 selected Ron Paul, 163 went for Rick Santorum and 86 favored Newt Gingrich.

Statewide results were: 37.65 percent for Romney, 24.81 for Paul, 23.81 for Santorum and 10.28 for Gingrich. The party reported a 400 percent increase at this year's caucuses over turnout two years ago.

"We had nearly 800 voters participate this year," Bolyard said. "People now know how the caucus process works, and we hope to see even larger numbers next time."

While this poll was not binding on any delegate, those chosen to represent their neighbors to the Grant County Republican Convention on Saturday, April 7, did share their presidential preferences.

"They will do so again at convention," Bolyard said. "Neighbors still have an opportunity to encourage their delegates to vote for their candidate. It won't be until national delegates are elected at the state convention that presidential preference becomes binding."

The county's Republican Convention will begin at 10 a.m. on April 7, at Wallenstein Theater in Moses Lake. The doors will open at 9:30 for registration of delegates and alternates. This will be a day-long event with speakers, delegate elections and a platform debate.