Republican presidential candidate Herman Cain may be soaring in the polls, but the former Godfather’s Pizza CEO is facing stiff competition in another important contest, The Washington Post reports.

The Tea Party favorite is up for top honors in the American Mustache Institute’s 2011 Robert Goulet Memorial Mustached American of the Year award. Cain faces a distinguished field of mustachioed luminaries including retired astronaut Mark Kelly, legendary NFL player and coach Mike Ditka, Sam “The Machine Gun Preacher” Childers and the flamboyant, rubber-glove wearing former New York gubernatorial candidate Jimmy “The Rent is Too [Darn] High” McMillan.

With his impeccably groomed facial hair, it’s easy to see why Cain and his mustache would easily walk away with the title. But organizers say it’s not just about what’s on one’s upper lip.

“The Goulet award is not a best mustache contest but recognizes the person who best-represents or contributes to the Mustached American community over the past year,” according to the AMI.

The Washington Post points out an interesting fact that just might help push Cain over the top in the GOP nominating contest. “If elected president, the former pizza CEO would be the first president since William Howard Taft to sport this type of facial hair.”

According to its website, the AMI describes itself as a facial hair advocacy group that’s based in silliness and charitable giving. Their contest is a PR vehicle for the group’s October charity event – aptly named Stache Bash – with proceeds going to the Prostate Cancer Foundation and LIVESTRONG.