U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio is the overwhelming choice for the Republican vice presidential pick in a nationwide survey of Tea Party Express supporters.

Rubio drew 66 percent support, ahead of U.S. Rep. Paul Ryan, R-Wis. and U.S. Rep. Allen West, R-Palm Beach Gardens. Behind them were former presidential candidate Rick Santorum, former VP nominee Sarah Palin, U.S. Rep. Michele Bachmann and Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker.

Said Tea Party Expres chairwoman Amy Kremer: “It is not a big surprise that Marco Rubio is the favorite candidate of the tea party for the vice-presidential nod. He ran as a strong fiscal conservative, and he has delivered with his record in the U.S. Senate for the last two years. The only surprise is that he led the other excellent candidates by such a wide margin."

The survey of more than 8,000 covered 27 candidates and was conducted by mail-in ballot.