The state of Georgia has set its presidential primary for March 12, 2024, despite a request from Democrats to schedule it in February.
The announcement was made by the state's GOP Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger who is responsible for the decision.
Georgia sets primary date for March despite DNC's request for February date https://t.co/N1Oh8P57GM
— Fox News (@FoxNews) May 5, 2023
Democrats "claim they spent months lobbying Raffensperger's office and had discussions on the matter, despite the secretary of state's efforts to avoid participation in those discussions," according to Fox News.
"In February, the Democratic National Committee (DNC) voted to alter its 2024 presidential nominating calendar, bumping Iowa and New Hampshire from their longstanding leadoff positions," it added.
Raffensperger sets Georgia primary date for March, despite Democrats’ push for earlier https://t.co/k8K8I9fvde pic.twitter.com/FEDjttdb96
— The Hill (@thehill) May 5, 2023
"The Georgia primaries will now come one week after Super Tuesday, which Raffensperger said would allow Georgia to be the 'prize' on March 12," The Hill reported.
"The only other state primaries that day are Idaho, Washington and Mississippi," it added.
Georgia was a center of controversy following the 2020 presidential election as President Joe Biden won the state by approximately 12,000 votes.
Former President Donald Trump blasted the outcome, claiming election fraud had occurred, and added to the controversy with allegations of his direct contact with leaders in Georgia for details about the state's certification of the election.
Video from Fulton County, referred to as SuitcaseGate, showed vote counters pulling boxes out from under a table after most volunteers had left which also added to the controversy at the time.
The latest announcement seems to be focused on what is best for the state's schedule without giving preference to Democrats who wanted Georgia as an early win for Biden as he seeks reelection in 2024 against the GOP and Democratic rival Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
