Craig Wins Straw Poll At 2012 MDYR Convention

Harford County Executive David Craig wins first 2014 Gubernatorial Straw Poll at MDYR Convention

ANNAPOLIS- The Maryland Young Republicans conducted the first Straw Poll for the 2014 Gubernatorial Election at their annual convention in Annapolis today.

Harford County Executive David Craig finished first with 25% of the vote. Former Lt. Governor and RNC Chairman Michael Steele finished second with 21%, followed by former Secretary Larry Hogan with 13% of the vote. The entire vote total is listed below.

The Straw Poll was held in conjunction with the 2012 Maryland Young Republicans Convention held at the Doubeltree Hotel in Annapolis today. Young Republicans from across Maryland came for this annual event to hear from great Republican speakers, network, and organize for the 2012 General Election.

Speakers included 2nd Congressional District Candidate State Senator Nancy Jacobs, 3rd Congressional District Candidate Eric Knowles, U.S. Senate Candidate Dan Bongino, 4th District Congressional Candidate Faith Loudon, 5th District Congressional Candidate and House Minority Leader Tony O'Donnell, Howard County Board of Education Member Brian Meshkin, and Phil Bell from the Maryland Republican Party.

"We were so pleased that so many great Republican candidates and leaders took the time to come to Annapolis and talk with our folks," said Maryland Young Republicans Chairman Brian Griffiths. "So many dismiss our generation as the future of the Republican Party. These leaders recognize that we are the present of the Republican Party, and that the Young Republicans are integral to the success of our party both here and nationally."

The Maryland Young Republicans also recognized the following distinguished award winners:

Club of the Year: Montgomery County Young Republicans
Man of the Year: Jason Papanikolas, Prince George's Young Republicans
Woman of the Year: Rachael Gingrich, Montgomery County Young Republicans
Lifetime Achievement Award: Heather Olsen, Prince George's Young Republicans
2012 Maryland Young Republicans Convention

2014 Gubernatorial Straw Poll Results
Harford County Executive Candidate David Craig: 25%
Former Lt. Governor Michael Steele: 21%
Former Secretary Larry Hogan: 13%
Frederick County Commissioner Blaine Young: 8%
Corrogan Vaughn (write-in): 8%
2010 Congressional Candidate Charles Lollar: 4%
2010 Gubernatorial Candidate Brian Murphy: 4%
Pat Daly (write-in): 4%
MDYR Chairman Brian Griffiths (write-in): 4%
Former U.S. Senate Candidate Alan Keyes (write-in): 4%
Undecided: 4%
Former Senate Minority Leader Marty Madden and Delegate Pat McDonough were listed on the ballot, but received no votes