The East Providence Republican City Committee held a fundraiser last night where State Representatives Jack Savage and Susan Story, City Councilman Robert Cusack, School Committee member Steve Santos, and State Republican Officials Jon Scott, Dave Cote and Donna Perry all spoke to the assembled crowd about issues and Republican prospects for the future. Councilman Cusack and Committeeman Santos, in particular, emphasized their experiences showing that Republican candidates for local offices can be successful when they get out, pound the pavement and talk sensibly about local issues.

Another highlight of the evening was Rhode Island’s first straw poll for Republican Presidential nominee. Former State GOP Chairwoman Patricia Morgan made a pitch for Rudolph Giuliani and Current State College GOP Chairman Ryan Bilodeau made a pitch for Mitt Romney. Votes cost $1 and multiple voting was allowed (actually encouraged). The results were…

(*As an undeclared candidate, Thompson wasn’t originally in the poll, but as the event started, the East Providence GOPers made a command decision to scratch Ron Paul and give his slot in the proceedings to Thompson)

Please note I’m being very precise in the title to this post. I’m only noting that the straw poll was a “first”, not that it was “representative”!