The Iowa Straw Poll (also known as the #Ames Straw Poll) was a #presidential #strawPoll and #fundraising event for the #RepublicanPartyOfIowa. It was held six times, traditionally in late summer approximately six months in advance of contested presidential #IowaCaucuses, from 1979 until 2011, on the campus of #IowaStateUniversity in Ames. The event attracted both praise and criticism, with supporters noting that it raised funds for the Republican Party of Iowa.