The South Carolina Republican Party announced that it will hold its primary January 19th.
New Hampshire Public Radio's Dan Gorenstein has more.
New Hampshire Secretary of State William Gardner speaks at the announcement. (Kevin Liptak, NHPR)
South Carolina GOP head Katon Dawson says he wanted to break his news in New Hampshire out of respect for the state’s traditional first in the nation primary role.
Speaking to reporters, Dawson emphasized the historic order of Iowa, New Hampshire, South Carolina is in the best interest of the voters.
"Elections and campaigns have changed. The 30 second sound bites, the mega states out there, it’s starting to become an impersonal race. And what NH and SC are doing is putting it back on the ground where it ought to be."
New Hampshire Secretary of State Bill Gardner says South Carolina’s date helps winnow the window when New Hampshire may hold its own contest.
With South Carolina’s announcement, state law requires that New Hampshire hold its primary no later than January 12th.
Gardner says he would like to avoid a date that forces Iowa to hold its own caucus in 2007.
Gardner will not set New Hampshire’s primary anytime soon, out of fear that Michigan may try to leapfrog the Granite State.
For NHPR News, I’m DG.
