Iowa Speedway is among several sites being considered to host the 2015 Iowa Straw Poll, the first organizational test of the GOP presidential primary.
Jasper County Republican Chairman Marshall Critchfield said The Republican Party of Iowa’s process for determining where to hold the Straw Poll is under way, and a final decision could be made within the next few weeks.
Although results are not necessarily indicative of who will the 2016 Iowa Caucus or earn the presidential nomination, the Straw Poll brings international attention to the state and is a testing ground for the candidates.
While no venue has been ruled out, the Iowa Speedway is among at least four proposed venues being discussed including the Central Iowa Expo in Boone, Iowa State Center in Ames and Drake University in Des Moines. Chairman Jeff Kaufmann told The Iowa Republican the decision is expected by March 21.
“The Iowa Speedway is the perfect place to host the Straw Poll because the venue has a proven record of hosting large and exciting events,” Critchfield said. “And to add to that, Newton epitomizes the Iowa lifestyle: small enough to know everyone, yet close enough to Des Moines to appeal to big-city tastes.”
The Straw Poll Committee toured three of the four sites Saturday. They did not go to Ames because every member has attended previous Iowa Straw Polls there.
The operations manager at the Iowa Speedway promised the committee a turn-key operation, Critchfied said, adding that he’s confident, based on what he’s seen — not heard, that the Speedway means exactly that.
The Iowa Republican developed an online poll to gauge interest in the four venues. It's unclear whether those votes will be reviewed by the Straw Poll Committee before making a decision. To vote, visit http://bit.ly/1wLLIXC. The Iowa Speedway is currently in second place.