Allen West's 2016 Straw Poll Comes Down to Ted Cruz and Rand Paul

At the end of June, former Congressman Allen West launched an online straw poll for Republican presidential hopefuls in 2016 through his Allen West Guardian Fund PAC. While the Florida Republican did not include himself as one of the contenders, West included a host of possible presidential candidates including Marco Rubio, Jeb Bush, Rand Paul, Condi Rice, Donald Trump, Paul Ryan, Scott Walker, Rick Santorum, Ted Cruz and more.

On Wednesday, West sent out an email to supporters saying the contest was now a runoff between Cruz and Paul. Insisting there were tens of thousands of ballots cast," West noted Senators Ted Cruz and Rand Paul were the overwhelming favorites for first and second choice.

As a retired lieutenant colonel in the United States Army, I've never once been satisfied with a draw, West added. You either win the battle or you lose it. That's why we're going to a runoff.

Calling both of the remaining candidates great patriots, West praised both of them. Ted Cruz and Rand Paul both strong leaders who deeply care about the future of America ... but they can't both be president, West wrote.