WASHINGTON (AP) — Rep. Ron Paul of Texas is the top presidential pick of the thousands of social conservatives who are meeting this weekend, winning 37 percent in a non-binding straw poll.

See also: Meet the Republican Candidates.

Georgia businessman Herman Cain came in second at the Values Voters Summit in Washington with 23 percent and former Sen. Rick Santorum placed third with 16 percent in Saturday's straw poll among the Republicans' White House contenders.

Rep. Michele Bachmann of Minnesota and Gov. Rick Perry of Texas tied with 8 percent.

Paul, making his second run at the GOP nomination, regularly fares well in such straw polls because his fervent supporters flock to the events to give him wins. Yet Paul trails other better known candidates such as Perry and former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney in traditional polls.