Michele Bachmann wins Ames Straw Poll

Republican presidential candidate Michelle Bachman has won the Iowa Straw Poll.

Bachmann bested eight other GOP presidential hopefuls in what is considered an early test of popularity and organizational strength for Republican contenders.

The Minnesota congresswoman received 4,823 votes, while second-place finisher Texas Rep. Ron Paul received 4,671.

Former Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty came in third with 2,293 votes.

Bachmann's victory comes five months before Iowa holds the caucuses that kick off the Republican nomination season.

Nine candidates were on the ballot, but not all of them chose to compete.

GOP front-runner Mitt Romney sat it out as did former Utah Gov. Jon Huntsman.

Romney came in sixth place with 567 votes. Huntsman landed in the eighth spot with a mere 69 votes.

Rounding out the field, former Pennsylvania Sen. Rick Santorum finished fourth (1,657 votes), businessman Herman Cain came in fifth (1,456 votes) and former House speaker Newt Gingrich came came in seventh (385 votes). Michigan Rep. Thaddeus McCotter finished last (35 votes).

Texas Gov. Rick Perry, who declared his candidacy earlier in the day but did not compete in the poll, collected 718 write-in votes.