Thursday, 7:36 PM
Governor expresses support for earlier primary
By Peter J. Howe, Globe Staff
Governor Deval Patrick said today he supports moving the Massachusetts presidential primary up to Feb. 5 from March 4.
"I think it makes a lot of sense," Patrick said at a State House event today where officials unveiled a major new state energy bill. "Over time we may see a national primary -- not in this cycle -- and that wouldn't be bad at all."
Presidential primaries are set to be held in as many as 21 states Feb. 5, in states including New York, New Jersey, Illinois, and California.
Secretary of State William F. Galvin is pushing legislators to set the same date for the Massachusetts presidential primary, both to get the state more attention from presidential candidates and to save money by holding the presidential primary the same day as five special elections for state Legislature.
Many political observers think that by March 4, both parties' nominations could be wrapped up because so many other states -- potentially as many as 36 -- will have already voted.
House Speaker Salvatore F. DiMasi, appearing at the same event with Patrick, said he also backed the change.
"I think Massachusetts should have a larger role, a bigger role, and as important a role as some of the other states" in determining the Democratic and Republican presidential nominees, he said.
Galvin hopes legislators will adopt the new primary date before the current session adjourns Nov. 21.
