Mitt Romney's Slate Edges Out Rick Santorum At Creve Coeur Township Caucus

Republicans in Creve Coeur Township met Saturday and ultimately rallied behind a slate of delegates backing former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney, after a spirited and sometimes contentious caucus gathering in Maryland Heights. 

Two actual votes were taken, with several attempts to verify each count. In the end, Romney's slate of delegates defeated those for former Senator Rick Santorum (R-Pennsylvania) by a count of 54-53. Supporters of Rep. Ron Paul (R-Texas) garnered 16 votes. The first vote was a 53-53-21 tie.

Confusion reigned through much of the vote, thanks to uncertainty over check-in procedures and voter verification. Committeeman Neal Breitweiser that he expected roughly 60 people to show up. Approximately 124 did.

"It was frustrating to a lot of people who didn't understand the whole process. Some folks didn't do their homework, and showed up at the wrong caucus, and in America, we have individual responsibility and its up to each voter to verify what township they're in," Breitweiser said. He said roughly ten people were turned away because they were in the wrong township.

The slate of delegates elected Saturday will move onto the congressional district conventions next month, where the recipient of the state's Presidential delegates will ultimately be decided.

Mary Suzanne Crockett, of Creve Coeur, and a Santorum supporter, attended the event with her two grade school-aged daughters. 

"When you get people involved, and emotions, it's going to be messy. That's the beauty of the American political process," she said, adding that despite the passion demonstrated, Republicans here would be united behind a single candidate to defeat President Obama.

"Never underestimate the value of a single vote," Crockett said. 

POTPOURRI

The Gingrich campaign did not field a slate of delegates...Supporters of U.S. Rep. Todd Akin (R-Wildwood) were the only ones visible as far as candidates down the ballot are concerned. In addition, John Lewis addressed caucus-goers, urging them to vote no on the April 3 Ladue School District tax levy. While some applauded his remarks, another participant who could not be identified, said he felt it improper to bring the matter up in the forum and urged voters to consider the other side. He was also applauded.

Editor's Note: Due to technical difficulties, photos from the event will be added later.