Rod Smith Calls Again for Later Presidential Primary in 2012

With RNC Chairman Reince Priebus in Tampa to check out the location of the 2012 GOP convention on Wednesday and calling for Sunshine State Republicans to schedule a later presidential primary, Florida Democratic Party Chairman Rod Smith agreed and called once again for the state to move the primary back.

The primary was held early in 2008 despite protests by both major national parties. Smith had sent a letter to the Republican Party of Florida back in January to hold the primary later in the year.

As Republican National Committee Chairman Reince Priebus reminds Floridas Republican leaders of the penalties they would face unless they change the presidential primary date, today I am renewing my call for bipartisan cooperation on this issue, said Smith. While changing the date of the primary would require action by the Republican Legislature and governor, I am confident that we can make this happen given the governors expressed desire to hold the primary as early as possible without losing delegates.