Kearney pushes for earlier primary, again

State Sen. Eric H. Kearney, a Democrat from North Avondale, renewed his call Thursday for Ohio to move up the date of its presidential primary from March 4 to Jan. 29, 2008.

Kearney, who introduced Senate Bill 202 earlier this year to change Ohio’s presidential primary date, said it’s not too late for Ohio to be "more relevant" to the primary process, citing the recent changes in the presidential primary dates for Montana and Connecticut.

"As it stands now, when Ohioans go to the polls in March the outcome of the primary race will already be decided," Kearney said. "Changing our primary date to January 29 places the proper amount of importance on Ohio’s voters."

Michigan moved the date of its presidential primary date to Jan. 15.

And the Montana Republican Party and Connecticut moved up the dates of their primaries to Feb. 5. Montana’s original primary date was June 3. Connecticut’s was the same as Ohio's, March 4.

Kearney said Ohioans should feel like their votes matter during the primary cycle.

"Just as in 2004, our state has once again been named a battleground state with electoral significance. It's not too late for Ohio to have a meaningful role in electing the next President."