Michigan now eyes earlier primary, too

Michigan is the latest state considering whether to move its presidential primary up to Jan. 29, 2008.

A week ago, state Sen. Eric Kearney proposed moving Ohio's primary from March 4 to Jan. 29, as Florida has done. Kearney, a Democrat from North Avondale, is seeking co-sponsors for Senate Bill 202, which is awaiting public hearings in the Ohio Senate.

Wednesday, legislation was sent to the floor of the Michigan Senate, to move its primary from Feb. 26 to Jan. 29. A vote on those bills has not been scheduled.

In a press statement today, Kearney said: "Clearly other states realize the importance of an early primary. It’s obvious the earlier your primary the more relevant your state is in the process. If Michigan can get that why can’t we?"

By the time Ohio votes in next year's presidential primary, 34 states will have cast a ballot: Iowa, Nevada, New Hampshire, Wyoming, Florida, South Carolina, Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Georgia, Illinois, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Oregon, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Utah, Louisiana, Maryland, Virginia, Washington, Wisconsin and Hawaii.

"In the national election Ohio is the gatekeeper to the presidency. We are a bellwether state and few make it to the White House without a win here," Kearney said. "We need to move our primary date because there is no better test for our national candidates than making them prove they can win in Ohio."