Mitt Romney to Skip Florida Straw Poll

TALLAHASSEE -- Mitt Romney won’t participate in Florida’s Presidency 5 straw poll, or any others, the Massachusetts Republican’s campaign announced. ”Our campaign has made the decision to not participate in any straw polls, whether it’s in Florida, Iowa, Michigan or someplace else,“ Romney’s campaign manager, Matt Rhoades, said in a statement.

”We respect the straw poll process," he continued. "In the last presidential campaign we were both strengthened as an organization and learned some important lessons by participating in them.  This time we will focus our energies and resources on winning primaries and caucuses. We look forward to bringing Mitt Romney’s strong pro-jobs message to every part of the country.“

Romney is still expected to take part in a nationally televised debate planned at the same time in Florida. Republican Party of Florida director Andy Palmer said the decision was ”unfortunate,“ but a Romney backer, former party chairman Sen. John Thrasher said the decision not to take part in the straw poll made sense.

”Florida is an expensive state to campaign in. As a candidate that has already proven his organizational strength and support in Florida, it's smart for him to focus his time and resources on winning the actual primary,“ Thrasher said in a statement released by the Romney campaign.

”I know first-hand from Mitt that he is committed to campaigning in Florida throughout the primary process and am very happy to hear that he will also participate in the P5 debate." 

Meanwhile, the group working to boost the profile of former Utah Gov. Jon Huntsman said if he gets in the race, he’ll be in the Florida straw poll.

”Should Gov. Huntsman enter the race for the Republican nomination for President, we fully intend to compete in the Republican Party of Florida's Presidency 5 Straw Poll," said Susie Wiles, a Florida-based consultant and executive director of H-PAC.  "Gov. Huntsman has made it abundantly clear that if he runs, he will campaign aggressively in Florida and base his campaign in his wife's hometown of Orlando.“