Thursday, July 21, 2011

Arizona Governor Considering Moving Presidential Primary to at Least the Last Tuesday in December January

Arizona Governor Jan Brewer is looking closely at the moving the Grand Canyon state's presidential primary from February 28 to at least the final Tuesday in December January according to a report from Howard Fischer of Capitol Media Services. The power of proclamation that was granted to the Arizona governor earlier in the 2000s was used by Brewer's predecessor, Janet Napolitano (D) in both 2004 and 2008 to move the state's presidential nominating contest up to the earliest date allowed by the two major parties, the first Tuesday in February. Brewer, however, is upping the ante significantly over that precedent. Said Brewer (via Fischer):

"Arizona is at the forefront of advancing solutions to national issues such as immigration and border security, Medicaid spending, and the financial crisis,'' Brewer said.

"It only makes sense that our state be positioned to have its voice heard loud and clear when it comes to the presidential nomination process,'' she continued. "Moving Arizona's presidential preference primary election into January would ensure that our citizens are major players in the 2012 campaign.''

The Arizona legislature failed to act to move the non-compliant primary during its session earlier this year. It is currently set for February 28. In essence, then, Arizona has nothing to lose. The state is already in violation of the rules and has no recourse. The proclamation power the governor has allows her to move the primary up but not back on the calendar.

Let the talk of November (or earlier) December caucuses and primaries in Iowa, New Hampshire, Nevada and South Carolina begin! continue.

...in earnest.

Here's another item on the potential move in Arizona from Mary Jo Pitzl of the Arizona Republic.


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