MANCHESTER, N.H. -- Faced with the prospect of sanctions for scheduling their presidential caucus weeks ahead of their appointed window, Nevada has backed from from a January date, according to reports.
The state will be the first in the West to weigh in on the G.O.P. race, and will caucus on February 4.
This decision by the Nevada Republican party satisfies demands made by several candidates, G.O.P. activists in New Hampshire, and national party officials, who lobbied the state to reconsider their early contest.
While the New Hampshire secretary of state has yet to set a primary, this move allows him to set New Hampshire's voting for Jan. 10th, seven days after Iowa and remaining the First In The Nation primary.
Statement from N.H. G.O.P. party chair Wayne McDonald:
I would like to thank the efforts of RNC Chairman Priebus, our National Committeeman Steve Duprey and our National Committeewoman Phyllis Woods who worked with me in consulting with our colleagues in Nevada to come to an agreement that is best for everyone and successfully preserves New Hampshire’s First in the Nation Status. Nevada’s decision to reschedule to February 4 will now allow Secretary of State Bill Gardner to schedule our Primary at a more appropriate time than would’ve been allowed with Nevada’s earlier date. The New Hampshire Primary is important not just as a long standing tradition, but as an opportunity for lesser-funded or lesser-known candidates to have the opportunity to be heard. This resolution comes thanks to several people, including the RNC Chairman Reince Priebus. Together, we all come out on top.
