Minnesota Republicans change caucus date

07/11/2007

Associated Press | July 11, 2007


Minnesota Republicans will gather for precinct caucuses a month early next year, joining the rush to weigh in on the presidential race on "Super-Duper Tuesday."

The GOP's executive committee voted Tuesday to hold caucuses on Feb. 5, spokesman Mark Drake said. No further approval is needed, and state Secretary of State Mark Ritchie has said he doesn't have a problem with the earlier date.

Minnesota Democrats are poised to move their caucuses up, too. The party's executive committee has already recommended the move, but an official vote won't happen until a party meeting in late September.

"We're a battleground state and we think it's important that Minnesotans — Democrats and Republicans alike — have their voices heard early in the process," Drake said. "We didn't want to get left behind."

Iowa kicks off the presidential winnowing process on Jan. 14, followed by New Hampshire, South Carolina and Nevada. At least 20 states including California, New York, New Jersey, Illinois and Georgia have set Feb. 5 for their primary or caucus, or are in the process of doing so.