The Republican National Committee (RNC) has preliminarily granted Arizona a presidential debate among Republican candidates in the run up to the 2012 general election.
“Arizona is a battleground for critical issues ranging from illegal immigration to Medicaid reform and the housing crisis. Our voters deserve to hear the presidential candidates speak to these and other important matters,” said Governor Jan Brewer, in response to the RNC announcement.
Arizona Republican Party Chairman Tom Morrissey indicated the preferred timing for the debate is sometime in December 2011, adding his organization will soon be submitting a formal application for the debate.
Pointing out that Arizona would be one of just a few states to host an RNC debate, Brewer said she hopes this eventuality will ensure that major presidential candidates will come to Arizona to visit with voters and address issues specific to the Southwest.
In a statement to media, Brewer said she would not be announcing a date for the Arizona primary, or presidential preference election, yet.
“I will, for the time being, keep my options open,” said Brewer, putting to rest the question of whether she would announce an early primary election date in advance of the Sept. 3 deadline mandated by state law.
Prior to the governor’s announcement of the presidential debate, speculation was rampant that the reason Brewer was delaying a decision on the primary election date was because Arizona was in the running for a debate.
Navajo County Elections Director Johnathan Roes said while an early primary election date will compress preparation timelines, the elections department would be able to accommodate an early vote.
Roes said his department is planning for a Feb. 28, 2012, primary election until he’s informed otherwise.
Of that decision, Brewer said, “With whatever date I choose, my goal remains the same as ever: to provide Arizona voters with the biggest possible platform with which to impact the presidential nomination process.”
