From NBC's Mark Murray
NEW ORLEANS -- In the presidential-preference straw poll here at the Southern Republican Leadership Conference, Mitt Romney won by ONE vote over Ron Paul -- out of 1,806 cast.

Romney received 24% of the vote (439 votes) to Paul's 24% (438 votes).

Newt Gingrich and Sarah Palin received 18% -- followed by Mike Huckabee at 4%, Tim Pawlenty at 3%, Mike Pence at 3%, Rick Santorum at 2%, and Gary Johnson at 1%.

The straw poll was conducted by Wilson Research Strategies, and voting occurred on Friday and Saturday.

Romney didn't speak at SRLC, but his supporters were in attendance -- including a group called "Evangelicals for Mitt," which advertised in the SRLC program.