Republican presidential candidates, from left, former Pennsylvania Sen. Rick Santorum, Texas Gov. Rick Perry, former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, Newt Gingrich, Rep. Ron Paul, R-Texas, and Rep. Michele Bachmann, R-Minn, stand together prior to their Republican debate, Saturday, Dec. 10, 2011, in Des Moines, Iowa. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)

We’ve surveyed our staff members and readers for their opinions, and the results are in. Between now and Jan. 1, we’ll be unveiling readers’ choices for the top 10 news stories of the year — one story per day. Here’s the #3 story of the year, as voted by Gazette staffers.

Iowa caucuses remain first in the nation after jockeying by states over dates for caucuses and primaries; Rep. Michelle Bachmann of Minnesota in August is first woman to win GOP straw poll; candidates swing through the state looking for support.

THE YEAR’S COVERAGE:

• Feb. 5: Will changing times change Iowa caucuses?
• Feb. 12: Likely Iowa Caucus contenders woo conservative activists
• March 4: Will Trump jump in to Iowa caucuses?
• April 18: Iowa Caucus: Potential candidates have been to Iowa nearly 100 times
• May 9: Caucus may, or may not, be good for Iowa’s coffers
• May 22: Questions rise about relevance of Iowa caucuses
• June 10: Branstad: Gingrich’s presidential campaign in ‘real trouble’
• Aug. 13: Bachmann calls win at straw poll ‘first step’ toward White House
• Oct. 7: GOP targeting Jan. 3 as Iowa caucus date
• Nov. 2: Iowa race still wide open
• Nov. 17: Republicans still sorting through 2012 hopefuls
• Dec. 1: Campaign spending down this caucus, primary season
• Dec. 5: Iowa caucus campaign reset by Cain’s ‘surge and suspend’ decision
• Dec. 19: Palin: Not too late to enter GOP presidential race