SC GOP: ‘We will be first in the South’

COLUMBIA, S.C. (WOLO) — South Carolina republican leaders react to Florida republican leaders’ announcement that its state’s presidential preference primary will be held January 31, which sends other states, including South Carolina, scrambling to establish new primary dates. SC GOP Chairman, Chad Connelly, says Florida’s recent vote is essentially a slap in the face to South Carolina, a state that, for years, has held its republican nomination process first in the South. A nine-member executive panel Friday voted to approve the January 31 date, which is a month ahead of an election schedule previously agreed upon by the Republican National Committee. South Carolina is one of four carve-out early states traditionally chosen to go first in the South. Even though Florida could be penalized by losing part of its delegation for changing its date, officials say it’s worth the risk. South Carolina GOP leaders say they will fight being penalized. They say it’s unfair for Florida to jump the election calendar and they shouldn’t face penalties. South Carolina’s primary date will be announced after Connelly confers with the GOP leadership of the three remaining early states, IA, NV, and NH.