Since the idea popped up somewhere or another that Texas join the large group of states that are moving their 2008 primary date up to February 5, I have been skeptical.
I never liked the idea about a primary that early in the first place, but the presidential race has already started too early, and our primary date will have no bearing on that.
The stronger argument for my skepticism has always been the idea that attention and time would be diverted away from our local primaries. Especially for us Democrats; the local primaries are crucial to build ourselves into a strong organization to make this state great. Would Borris Miles have been elected with a February 5 primary date? We would never know. Even if we move the filing deadline to December (which is much too early in my opinion- almost a year before the election!), there would still be high profile attention from the presidential races that would take away from the lower races.
However, it seems the benefits of the potential of high presidential impact significantly outweigh the importance of local races. I can understand that. Then, though; I hit upon an idea while reading the National Journal's "Hotline on Call." What if our primary is slightly after the 5th? I'm not sure if I fully support this idea, but I think it certainly merits discussion. Below the fold, I'll give an outline of what I see as the benefits of a primary slightly after the 20th.
(More good stuff on moving the Primary Up to Feb 5th. This train is leaving the station... - promoted by Matt Glazer)
Representative Trey Martinez Fischer's HB 996 is up for a hearing this week in Elections. The early primary legislation would move the Texas Primary from March 4, 2008 to February 5, 2008.
Rep. Martinez Fischer's bill was the only early primary bill on the hearing notice posted on Friday. HB996 has Representative Roberto Alonzo signed on as a joint author.
Legislation is currently being considered in the Texas State House to move the Texas Primary from March 4, 2008 to February 5, 2008, and Texas Democrats are taking the lead on the issue. Bills supporting a February 5th primary have already been filed by Representative Roberto Alonzo of Dallas (HB 993) and Representative Trey Martinez Fischer of San Antonio (H.B 996). State Representative Richard Raymond of Laredo has cosponsored the Alonzo bill and made a strong public endorsement of the effort calling upon current presidential candidates to endorse an early Texas primary. (Read the statement here)
