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Florida finally has a date for its presidential primary. The state will vote January 31st, five weeks before national party rules allow. As Whitney Ray tells us, voting early could cost the Florida GOP half its delegates, but supporters of the early date say it will make Florida matter.

Florida sent a message to these GOP candidates Friday; to be the Republican nominee, pay closer attention to Florida.

Friday the committee selected to pick a date for Florida’s presidential primary… broke Democrat and Republican Party rules… selecting January 31st for the primary. That’s five weeks early. Two Democrats on the committee objected.

“I want Florida to have a prominent place too, but I want us to be prominent and follow the rules and I want us to do what’s right, said Representative Cynthia Stafford.

Breaking the rules carries a penalty of half of both parties nominating delegations, but state Democrats objected to the early date. Their party is cutting them slack.

“We won’t lose any of our delegates for the Democrats. So that’s great. When we attend our convention we’ll have a full slate of delegates,” said Scott Arceneaux.

As of now Florida Republicans, may still be chastised by the national party. They don’t seem to care. Whle breaking the rules may mean fewer Republican delegates at the national convention, it may mean more money in the state’s economy as politicians pump more of their campaign cash into Florida.”

Former Republican Governor Bob Martinez says Florida is open for business for any GOP candidate serious about winning.

“For those candidates on the bubble, they’ve got to win Florida,” said Martinez.

With Florida’s date set, other states are expected to move their primaries forward. Party rules say only four states, Iowa, New Hampshire, Nevada and South Carolina can vote before March 6th. After today’s announcement, the voting schedule could look something like this with Iowa going first on January 16th, followed by New Hampshire on the 24th. Nevada and South Carolina could both vote on the 28th, followed by Florida going fifth on the 31st.

Proposed Primaries and Caucuses
Jan 16th Iowa
Jan 24th New Hampshire
Jan 28th Nevada and South Carolina
Jan 31st Florida