Mike Huckabee won the hearts of a slim majority of Republican voters in Ames Precinct 4-1, beating opponent Mitt Romney, 56-51. The former Arkansas governor won at the county level as well in Thursday’s caucuses,according to the Iowa Republican Party’s Web site.

St. Andrews Lutheran Church, 209 Colorado Ave., was bustling with activity Thursday night as members of Precincts 4-1, 4-3, 4-4, and 4-5 lined up to show their support for their chosen candidates. Members of Precinct 4-1 filled up the small room originally intended for them by 6:45 p.m., forcing a move to the

church’s sanctuary. The sanctuary promptly filled up as well.

Caucus administrators remarked on the big turnout that evening, ushering in two-and-a-half hours of political discussion and housekeeping. Supporters of Ron Paul, Mitt Romney and John McCain spoke briefly about their candidates of choice before the anonymous vote was taken.

Tyler Christian, senior in civil engineering, attended the caucus in support of Huckabee.

“Every point he has on his Web site, my wife and I support 100 percent,” Christian said. He pointed out gun control as one priority for him, since he is a hunter and permit owner, he said.

“His reputation as a governor has been skewed, I think, by the liberal media, but looking past that, I think he has a great reputation for leading this country,” Christian said.

Leann Steffan, sophomore in apparel merchandising, design and production, said she came to observe the caucus, and planned to vote absentee in her home state’s, Minnesota, primary election when it came up.

Steffan pointed to a Ron Paul button on her jacket to indicate her preferred candidate.

“I like his stance on Social Security, and his stance on war,” she said. “I believe he’s the only Republican who wants to get out of the war.”

Mark Martens, farm manager and appraiser, came to the caucus in support of McCain. He pointed to McCain’s “experience in world affairs” as good reason to vote for him.

He said he also approves of McCain’s views on low taxes and immigration.

“And he’s not too old to be president,” Martens said pointedly. “The polls don’t indicate it, but I think he’ll do better than expected,” Martens said.

The official results of Precinct 4-1 were as follows: Mike Huckabee – 56; Mitt Romney – 51; Fred Thompson – 26; John McCain – 23; Ron Paul – 22; Rudy Giuliani – 10, and Duncan Hunter – 2.