George Brauchler, 18th Judicial District attorney, won the Western Conservative Summit’s gubernatorial straw poll, leading a roll of 26 with 38 percent of the vote, organizers said Sunday.
Former Republican state representative finished second with 20 percent, and , 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 , 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.”