Democratic Party leaders from Iowa, New Hampshire, Nevada and South Carolina are making an appeal to presidential candidates as Michigan moves the date of its presidential selection contest. The move comes as Michigan lawmakers prepare to set a January primary date for voters in their state.
The Democratic presidential candidates are being asked to sign a pledge not to campaign in any state — outside of the four “early” states, including Iowa — that moves its contest before February 5th. Michigan’s governor, meanwhile, has sent all the candidates a letter urging them not to sign the pledge and to come to Michigan so her state’s voters can have a “real voice” in the nominating process.
Michigan’s governor says the issues people in her state face “are far more important” than ensuring political contests in Iowa, New Hampshire, Nevada and South Carolina go first. Last weekend the Democratic National Committee issued a stern warning to Democrats in Florida to either try to move back the date of its primary, or no Florida delegates will be seated at the party’s national convention next year.
Iowa Governor Chet Culver says he will join the effort. Culver says he thinks it’s “a very smart thing to do” to urge the candidates to only campaign for delegates in states that have been sanctioned. Culver said Friday the national party leader is helping. Culver says Democratic national party chairman Howard Dean is sending out a letter to candidates, and Culver says he expects the candidates to sign the pledge.