Earlier Primaries Advocated In West

Mon., Feb. 19, 1996

Compiled From Wire Services

More Western states should follow Arizona’s lead and hold their primaries earlier in the year, Utah Gov. Michael Leavitt says.

The result could be a Western Super Tuesday which would give the Rocky Mountain region real clout in the presidential election for the first time, Leavitt said in remarks published Sunday by Tribune Newspapers.

Leavitt, a Republican, wants Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, Colorado, Utah, Nevada and New Mexico to set their primaries on the same day as Arizona’s, which this year is Feb. 27.

“As a region, the Mountain West is pretty well ignored in presidential politics, except in states like Arizona that have moved their primaries to earlier dates,” Leavitt said in a proposal circulated to Western lawmakers.

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Earlier Primaries Advocated In West

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