ALBANY - The New York legislature overwhelmingly approved a measure Wednesday to move the state's presidential primary up to Feb. 5, a move designed to help its favorite political son and daughter - Rudy Giuliani and Hillary Rodham Clinton - in the 2008 race.
Democratic Gov. Eliot Spitzer is expected to sign the measure that would put New York with California and a host of other states opting for the new Super Tuesday showdown.
The New York primary had been set for March 4, but the earlier date was sought by Giuliani, the former New York City mayor, and also supported by Sen. Clinton. The two New Yorkers lead national polls in the race for the Republican and Democratic presidential nominations.
In the Republican-led New York Senate, the measure was approved 59-1 with only Ruth Hassell-Thompson, a Bronx Democrat, voting against the measure.
The measure was approved 123-4 in the Democratic-controlled Assembly.
- From wire reports
The New York primary had been set for March 4, but the earlier date was sought by Giuliani, the former New York City mayor, and also supported by Sen. Clinton. The two New Yorkers lead national polls in the race for the Republican and Democratic presidential nominations.
In the Republican-led New York Senate, the measure was approved 59-1 with only Ruth Hassell-Thompson, a Bronx Democrat, voting against the measure.
The measure was approved 123-4 in the Democratic-controlled Assembly.
- From wire reports
