TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) - Florida is poised to hold its presidential primary
on Jan. 31, a move that likely would mean an earlier start to the GOP
nominating contests than what the national Republican Party had planned.
House Speaker Dean Cannon on Wednesday said that was the likely date for the
Florida primary as the state works to ensure that it votes right behind the
four that are the first to traditionally hold presidential primaries or
caucuses - Iowa, New Hampshire, Nevada and South Carolina.
The Republican said scheduling the primary for the last day of January would
make Florida a major player in deciding the GOP nominee without jumping in
front of those four states. He said Florida's hand was forced by other states
that have moved up their dates, including Missouri, which has set its primary
for Feb. 7.
"It's not a done deal," Cannon said in a telephone interview. He
noted that the tentative date could change if states other than the first four
try to jump or match Florida.
Iowa, New Hampshire, Nevada and South Carolina have promised to protect
their early voting status by moving their contests to earlier in the year if
needed.
South Carolina Republican Party chairman Chad Connelly, who has sole
authority to set a date, plans to hold a news conference Thursday. He said
"it's likely" he will announce a date for South Carolina's primary.
Georgia's secretary of state also has scheduled an announcement for Thursday.
"We're going to be the first in the South primary," Connelly said.
Cannon said he has been consulting with Republican Party officials and the
offices of Florida Senate President Mike Haridopolos, R-Merritt Island, and
Republican Gov. Rick Scott.
Haridopolos believes a Jan. 31 primary would accomplish the goal of giving
Florida a pivotal role in the selection of the next Republican presidential
nominee, said his spokeswoman, Lyndsey Cruley.
Scott spokeswoman Karen Smith declined comment.
A special committee will meet Friday to formally select Florida's date. The
eight voting members were selected by the two legislative leaders and Scott.
The panel consists of six current or former lawmakers, Republican ex-Gov.
Bob Martinez and Scott's deputy chief of staff, Jenn Ungru. Secretary of State
Kurt Browning is a ninth, nonvoting member and chairman.
The panel last week put off a decision so it could see what happens in other
states, particularly South Carolina, usually the last of the four traditional
states.
South Carolina's Connelly says he doesn't want to share a date with any
other state, particularly one that breaks party rules.
A date earlier than March 6 for all but the four early states would violate
Republican Party rules that allow only those traditional early voting states to
go before then. Other states that break the rule could lose half of their
delegates to the party's national convention.
"My job is to protect the voters of Florida and worry about the
Republican National Committee rules second," Cannon said.
He said that still might leave Florida with about as many or more delegates
than the first four states combined.
The Democratic Party has a similar rule. To avoid violating it, Florida
Democrats probably will not hold a primary because President Barack Obama is
seeking re-election. The party might select its convention delegates at a
caucus later on.
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