By Craig Robinson

Later today, TheIowaRepublican.com will release the results of its latest statewide survey of Iowa voters. This is the fifth statewide poll that has been conducted by Voter/Consumer Research for TheIowaRepublican.com since July of 2009.

Dr. Jan van Lohuizen, founder and president the Houston, Texas, based Voter/Consumer Research, conducted the poll of 500 registered voters by live telephone interviews between the dates of September 23, and September 25, 2012. The poll has a margin of error of +/- 4.4 percent.

The TIR – Voter/Consumer Research poll has a strong history of accurately capturing the political climate in Iowa. The poll also has a history of asking provocative questions that provide insight into the ever-changing political landscape in Iowa.

In July of 2009, the poll presented Iowans with a hypothetical matchup between then Governor Chet Culver and former Republican Governor Terry Branstad. The poll showed Branstad with a commanding 16-point lead over Culver. The poll also showed Branstad winning each of the state’s five Congressional Districts, a feat that Branstad accomplished in November of 2010. The TIR – Voter/Consumer Research Poll was able to capture Branstad’s strength six months before he became an official candidate.

Our February 2010 poll showed that Branstad’s polling numbers were no fluke, and that more Iowans felt that the state was heading in the wrong direction. In August of 2010, TIR – Voter/Consumer Research Poll showed a young attorney from Council Bluffs leading then-Iowa Secretary of State Michael Mauro. That young attorney’s name is Matt Schultz, Iowa’s current Secretary of State.

The last statewide poll conducted by TheIowaRepublican.com was in July of 2011. That poll was conducted soon after Michele Bachmann officially entered the presidential race and shined in a presidential debate in New Hampshire. She led the field of candidates, but the poll also showed Romney’s continued strength in Iowa despite not campaigning in Iowa. Rick Santorum went on to win the caucuses, but Romney maintained strength.

Our latest poll obviously focuses on the presidential race, but also includes a number of state specific questions that are important to Iowans. Later today, TheIowaRepublican.com will release the poll results of the presidential race. After that, we will explore the opinions of Iowans on a wide verity of issues, and the results may surprise you.