Missouri's Republican Party leaders launched a messaging campaign Friday, urging state senators to pass a bill moving the Presidential Preference Primaries from February to March.
State GOP Chairman David Cole noted in a news release new rules agreed to by both the Republican and Democratic National Committees require states to move their presidential nominating contests later in the year - and failing to do so "has a variety of negative consequences - from the state's loss of influence in the nominating process to a likely boycott of the state by the presidential candidates."
Missouri's primary election dates were set by the Legislature, so only the General Assembly can change it.
"Across the country, state legislatures are acting to ensure their presidential nominating contests comply with RNC & DNC rules," Cole said. "Now, the eyes of the national media have turned toward Missouri.