Cox Bests Thompson, Mcain In Latest Iowa Straw Poll

For Immediate Release
Contact: Laura Grock/Martin E. Janis
(312) 943-1100 X13

Monday, July 23, 2007

Chicago Businessman Rounds Out Top 5 in Madison County Presidential Poll
Says Romney's New Iowa Straw Poll Plans a "Slap in the Face to Midwesterners"

(MADISON COUNTY, IA) - GOP Presidential candidate John Cox placed 5th - just behind GOP presidential front runner, Rudy Guiliani, in this weekend's Republican straw poll in Madison County, Iowa. Political eyes are trained on Iowa with the statewide straw poll in August and the influential Iowa Caucuses less than a year away. The results may surprise some political insiders - who are seeing well-known national GOP candidates bested by the darkhorse candidacy of John Cox - a Chicago businessman and self-made millionaire.

"The people of Madison County have spoken," said GOP Candidate John Cox. "They are unsatisfied with the Republican front runners and are looking for a candidate who actually shares their beliefs, opinions, and ideals - a candidate like myself. Iowans don't want or need a career politician as President - they need someone who can't be bought by the special interests."

In the Madison County straw poll, former Governors Mitt Romney and Tommy Thompson topped the poll at 50% and 23% respectively. Former New York mayor and frontrunner, Rudy Guiliani came in fourth at 13% with a close showing by businessman John Cox at 12%. Senators John McCain and Senator and former "Law and Order" star, Fred Thompson came in 8th place with 7% and 9th place last place with 6%, respectively. Candidates Ron Paul and Duncan Hunter placed last in the poll with 2% and 1% showings respectively.

"John Cox has barely been recognized by the national media as a candidate, yet he continues to score better than some of the 'frontrunners' among the Republican activists who will make the decision on who the nominee for 2008 will be," says Dan Herren, National Campaign Manager for John Cox. "As to why the media is purposely overlooking John Cox - I think voters should demand some accountability."

Reacting to news that former Governor Mitt Romney plans to scale back his Iowa straw poll plans, Cox said, "Iowa is part of America's heartland. It concerns me that any front runner for President - Romney, Guiliani, and McCain - would discount the Midwest and its tremendous influence in the presidential process. It's a slap in the face to Midwesterners like myself." Unlike the GOP presidential front runners who have scarcely visited the state, Cox has made 25 separate trips to Iowa and has visited all of its 99 counties.

Campaign Organization and Polling Data

Des Moines Register Poll. In a May 12-16, 2007 Des Moines Register poll, John Cox had 1% - the same as Duncan Hunter and Jim Gilmore and more than Ron Paul, all of whom have been invited to participate in the New Hampshire debate at this point.

South Carolina Presidential Straw Polls. In South Carolina, John Cox defeated Tom Tancredo, Tommy Thompson, Jim Gilmore, Sam Brownback, and Ron Paul overall in the County Republican Party Presidential Straw Polls that were conducted in April 2007. Also in South Carolina, John Cox came in 1st place in the Aiken County Republican Party Presidential Straw Poll, and placed 2nd in the McCormick County Straw Poll.

Iowa Republican Chairman Survey. In Iowa, the website www.IowaPolitics.com conducted a survey of all of the County Republican Chairmen asking them who they would be willing to support for President. John Cox placed 5th in this survey.

Campaign Organization. Our campaign has a vast network of paid staff and volunteers in New Hampshire, Iowa, and South Carolina. We have campaign organizations established in more than 30 states. John Cox has campaigned extensively in those states over the past 14 months, spending over 60 days in New Hampshire, 90 days in Iowa and 40 days in South Carolina - more than just about all the other candidates. According to FEC Campaign Disclosures, John Cox has spent more than $800,000 on this campaign, more than most of the other candidates included in the upcoming June 5th debate.

About John Cox
John H. Cox, 51, is the first announced Republican candidate for president in 2008. In addition to running successful companies in real estate, law, and venture capital, John Cox helped turn around major potato chip manufacturer, Jays Foods, saving hundreds of jobs and turning millions of dollars in loss into profit. He is a former president of the Cook County Republican Party and lives in Chicago, Illinois with his wife and four daughters.

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For more information regarding John Cox and his presidential campaign, please visit: www.cox2008.com Contact: Dan Herren, National Communications Director, phone: 864-230-5334; E-mail: danherren@hotmail.com