Bachmann wins early Republican test in US poll

US: US congresswoman Michele Bachmann, a darling of the ultraconservative Tea Party movement, won Saturday's Iowa straw poll, a key early test that could boost her presidential hopes.

But her victory was overshadowed by Texas Governor Rick Perry, a business-friendly social conservative who announced his candidacy hours earlier and could soon lead the crowded 2012 race to replace Barack Obama.

Bachmann took first in the Ames Straw Poll - seen as a key indicator of who will fare well in early nominating contests next year - with 4,823 votes, or around 28.5 percent of the 16,892 ballots cast.

Libertarian congressman Ron Paul won a close second with 4,671 votes. Former Minnesota governor Tim Pawlenty came in a distant third with 2,293 after trailing in the polls for weeks.

Former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney, until now seen as the front-runner for the nomination, did not campaign heavily in Iowa, preferring to focus on other states that will hold early nominating battles.

AFP