Lovejoy Gets Most Votes in Tea Party Straw Poll

Manassas Tea Party members have selected Republican candidates Ian Lovejoy and Jonathan Way, as well as Independent candidate Jerry Carman for the Manassas City Council race, a recent straw poll shows.

The Manassas Tea Party recently conducted a straw poll of its members in a first-time effort to survey voter opinion in Manasssas.

Republican candidate Ian Lovejoy led the poll with 34-percent of the votes; incumbent Councilman Jonathan Way had 24-percent; and newcomer Independent candidate, Jerry Carman took 26-percent, according to a press release issued by the Manassas Tea Party Friday.

Republican candidate for council, incumbent Mark Wolfe tallied only 16-percent of the vote, and newly-announced Democratic candidate Patricia Richie-Folks received no votes, the release stated.

“Clearly our members are selecting candidates with positions that are the most closely aligned with Tea Party principles, not based on any party lines,” Manassas Tea Party Chairman Craig Summers said.

The Presidential and U.S. Senate seat races were also polled.

Delegate Bob Marshall, R-Manassas, who recently joined the U.S. Senate race, walked away with  68-percent of the vote, while George Allen secured only 23-percent. Democratic candidate Tim Kaine and Republican David McCormick tied for last with each receiving only 5-percent of the vote.

MTP Members selected Rick Santorum as the winner for the Presidential race even though he will not appear on the Virginia Presidential primary ballot on March 6. Only two candidates— Mitt Romney and Ron Paul will be on the ballot.

Still, Santorum swept Romney with 67-percent of the votes and Newt Gingrich came in second with 27-percent. Ron Paul received only 9-percent of the votes and Romney received no votes.

“I believe the Santorum victory shows the rising national interest in a true conservative candidate, but it’s a little surprising Romney received no votes,” Summers said

The Manassas Tea Party will be conducting the straw poll at each monthly
tea party meeting through November. Meetings are held on the first Tuesday of each month at 7 p.m. at the Manassas City Council chambers. The public is invited to attend.

More About the Manassas Tea Party

The Manassas Tea Party is a non-profit organization of hundreds of freedom-loving Virginians in Manassas and the greater Manassas area whose mission is to promote a return to constitutional principles and the restoration of the vision of America's founders at the local, state and federal level. The Manassas Tea Party is a member of the Federation of Virginia Tea Party Patriots.