Chairman Clark on the MRLC and Primary Dates

By: Brian Sikma, Live at the Midwest Republican Leadership Conference

I just got done interviewing Indiana Republican Chairman Murry Clark about the Midwest Republican Leadership Conference and some issues related to Indiana’s position as a later primary state.

When asked why this conference is good for Indiana Republicans, Chairman Clark said that the event helps unite the Indiana party with the other Midwest State parties. Republicans across the Midwest can come together to discuss the various political issues facing our region. Additionally, the conference helps focus Hoosier Republicans on the common goal of electing Republican officeholders in 2008.

When asked about the fact that Indiana is a second tier state in terms of a primary date, Clark replied that the system is set up so that it penalizes those states that abide by the National Republican Committee’s rules. There are rules governing the way primaries are scheduled, right now, Indiana’s date lags behind other states simply because Indiana is following the rules. Clark expressed his hope that the 2008 National Republican Convention will pass a resolution seeking to remove the inequities now faced by early primary vs. late primary states.

The Chairman said that among the several options open for consideration was a proposal to rotate the primary schedule so that each state would have the chance to, every so often, be a key early primary state.

We look forward to seeing how this proposal works out.