George Brauchler, 18th Judicial District attorney, won the Western Conservative Summit’s gubernatorial straw poll, leading a roll of 26 candidates with 38 percent of the vote, organizers said Sunday.
Former Republican state representative Victor Mitchell finished second with 20 percent, and Steve Barlock, who served as Denver co-chairman for Donald Trump’s 2016 presidential campaign, came in third, with 7 percent.
State Treasurer Walker Stapleton, who has not yet announced his candidacy, followed with 6 percent, and Doug Robinson, a former investment banker, tailed 5 percent, organizers said.
More than 3,500 participants from 40 states attended the three-day conference at the Colorado Convention Center. Attendees included conservatives, Republican volunteers, Tea Party activists, students, and community, religious and business leaders.
Front-runners in the straw poll were all Republicans.
The ballot offered 26 choices, including 18 Republicans, 7 Democrats and one independent.
Director of the Centennial Institute Jeff Hunt said, “The Colorado gubernatorial straw poll is a test of 2017 potential gubernatorial preferences among grassroots conservatives in Colorado.”
