Texas Congressman Ron Paul, known for his libertarian viewpoints, overwhelmingly won a recent presidential straw poll conducted by the New Hampshire Young Republicans during their third annual Lobster Bake in New Castle.

Paul took 45 percent of the votes in the straw poll, which was conducted on Saturday, Aug. 20. Former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney finished a distant second with 10 percent, while Michigan Rep. Thaddeus McCotter and Texas Gov. Rick Perry tied for third with 8 percent apiece.

The poll makes a strong statement for Paul, who came in a close second in Iowa’s recent Ames Straw Poll, finishing just behind Minnesota Rep. Michelle Bachmann. A long-shot for president in 2008, Paul is making his case as a serious contender in 2012. He raised $1.8 million in a 24-hour fundraising event over the weekend.

Ovide Lamontagne won the Young Republicans’ gubernatorial straw poll.