Other early primary/caucus states are riled about Florida’s decision to push up the date of its contest to Jan. 31, violating party rules and placing it before the date that Iowa had hoped to use for the country’s first primary/caucus,
Politico reports.
Iowa Republican Party Chairman Matt Strawn declared: “Iowa will be first. The only open question is the date on which we hold our caucuses. Ironically, in attempting to assert increased relevance in the process, Florida's move only elevates the importance of Iowa and the other early states. A compressed caucus and primary calendar makes doing well in the four kickoff states a necessity for a candidate to secure the Republican nomination."
New Hampshire House Majority Leader D.J. Bettencourt said, “Florida’s decision to schedule their primary in January would be in violation of RNC rules, and I am confident that there will be serious repercussions for such a move . . . We’re passionate about the process and we’ve earned our place in line. Florida should respect the integrity of the nominating process and play by the rules.”
And South Carolina GOP Chairman Chad Connelly said, “Here’s the bottom line. I’m going to have the first-in-the-South, and everybody’s effort to be more relevant is going to result in everyone becoming more irrelevant.”
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