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FILE: Aug. 13, 2011: Republicans enter Hilton Coliseum before casting their ballots in the Iowa Republican Part's straw poll, in Ames, Iowa.(AP)

DES MOINES, Iowa State Republican party leaders voted unanimously Saturday in favor of keeping their annual presidential straw poll, defeating critics who said the summer tradition attracts only fringe contenders while keeping away mainstream candidates.

The vote by the Republican Party Central Committee was 16 yeas to 0 nays.

Party Chairman Jeff Kaufmann said he was pleased with the outcome of the vote, after saying earlier in the week that he had a hunch that members would vote as such.

I knew in the end we would circle the wagons. We have a unified party at this point, he said. This was about making sure the (Republican National Committee) is comfortable about what were doing.

The event will be held in August. Kaufmann said the exact date and location will be decided within weeks, not months.

Among the critics of the poll are such prominent Republicans as Gov. Terry Branstad.

However, the governors office said Branstad looks forward to working with the Republican Party of Iowa and the State Central Committee to make it a successful event.

Committee members said the poll energizes the party base and serves as an important early test of campaign strength.

I think whats so valuable is that it brings Iowans into the political arena, committee member Trudy Caviness said. To move our country forward, we have got to have more informed and active young and old.

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Iowa Republicans vote in favor of keeping presidential straw poll