TRENTON — The conventional wisdom has always been the earliest presidential primaries have the biggest impact. That's why New Jersey moved its contest to February for the 2008 race. But Gov. Chris Christie sees an opportunity to turn that notion on its head and is considering a push to move the 2012 primary back to June, only months before...
TRENTON — The conventional wisdom has always been the earliest presidential primaries have the biggest impact. That's why New Jersey moved its contest to February for the 2008 race.
But Gov. Chris Christie sees an opportunity to turn that notion on its head and is considering a push to move the 2012 primary back to June, only months before national party conventions.
In a presidential cycle without a clear-cut Republican frontrunner, Christie today said New Jersey could play a deciding role in a down-to-the-wire primary.
"New Jersey might be in a powerful position in June to help determine the Republican nominee for president," he said.
Asked at a Statehouse press conference if he was trying to boost his role in the presidential race, the governor responded: "Well, sure. Why not? If New Jersey can be partially responsible for nominating the next president of the United States, I have a feeling that might increase our clout in Washington, D.C."
It’s another sign Christie, who insists he is not running for president or vice president, is seeking to capitalize on his newfound status in the national Republican Party. Although New Jersey is considered a reliably blue state in presidential elections, a parade of potential GOP candidates — Mitt Romney, Haley Barbour, Tim Pawlenty — have already visited with Christie at the governor’s mansion in Princeton.
"He’s making a claim that not only does New Jersey matter for Republican politics, but he does as well," said Princeton public affairs professor Julian Zelizer "There’s a political calculation."
Changing the primary date would require cooperation from the Democrat-controlled Legislature. However, Assemblyman John Wisniewski (D-Middlesex), chairman of the state Democratic Party, is already pushing a bill (A3777) to do just that. Noting that the current setup retains the June primary date for all other offices, Wisniewski said the state could save up to $10 million by having only one primary.
Republicans and Democrats say the later primary could spare them from being penalized during the national conventions. Trying to head off a repeat of 2008’s scramble for early primaries, both parties could prevent states holding primaries too soon from sending full delegations to the conventions.
That could be a bigger consideration for Republicans than Democrats, who are expected to rally around President Obama’s campaign for a second term. The state Republican party said it is trying to determine what will best increase its influence.
For decades, New Jersey held its primary dead last in June. Sen. Richard Codey (D-Essex), who pushed the bill to hold it in February, said moving it back would make the state less relevant. "It will be all over by then," Codey said. "When was the last time it got down to New Jersey? Was it before or after the Civil War? Give me a break."
Having a full slate of delegates at the national convention is meaningless, Codey said, because the nomination is already decided by the time the party actually votes.
William Palatucci, a Republican national committeeman and confidante of Christie’s, said showing up in full force is a safety mechanism. "One of these days, we are going to have a contested convention," he said. "And then having your full delegation is going to be important."
Former Gov. Christie Whitman said in GOP politics, New Jersey will be noted for raising cash from wealthy residents and the symbolism of having Republican governor in a Democratic state.
Palatucci is also expecting that Christie will be a draw.
"That’s why all these potential candidates have been in here early," he said. "They know he’s become a national leader of the party. They’re looking for the New Jersey delegation, but also his support to be used in other states."
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