Paul skipping primary night in Florida
January 23rd, 2012
12:25 PM ET
11 years ago

Paul skipping primary night in Florida

(CNN) - Want more proof Rep. Ron Paul is looking past Florida to February's contests? Well, here it is.

While the Republican presidential candidate and longtime congressman from Texas will attend both of the GOP debates being held in Florida this week (including a CNN debate on Thursday night in Jacksonville), Paul won't be in the Sunshine State on primary day, January 31.

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Instead the Paul campaign tells CNN the candidate will be in Nevada and Colorado. Nevada is next up after Florida in primary and caucus calendar, holding its caucuses on February 4.

Colorado's caucuses come three days later, on February 7. Minnesota and Missouri also hold contests the same day.

The Paul campaign told CNN last Friday that they also won't go up with TV commercials in the Sunshine State. With its multiple and more costly markets, Florida is an expensive state to run campaign ads. Instead Paul's going up with spots in Nevada and Minnesota.

Fifty delegates are up for grabs in Florida, but it's a winner-take-all state and Paul's campaign feels the can better spend their resources in February's early caucus states, where they think they have a better chance to pick up delegates.

Paul finished third in Iowa's January 3 caucuses, a strong second in New Hampshire's January 10 primary, and last in Saturday's South Carolina primary.

- Follow Paul Steinhauser on Twitter: @PSteinhauserCNN

Also see:

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Romney takes aim at Gingrich in Florida

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Ethics penalty 'reimbursement,' says Gingrich


Filed under: 2012
soundoff (131 Responses)
  1. kontious

    It's a shame how many americans truly have no idea what is going on. What happened? Was it the drugs you took as a kid, coming back to haunt you? Is it the reality t.v? Our Freedom is being stripped away and nobody cares! No wonder other countries make fun of us. We are spineless, and we only care to be entertained like toddlers. Our rights are being taken. My opinion write your candidate in and don't choose one from the left or the right. It's suicide. Visit this site and learn what rights are being taken away! http://www.opencongress.org/bill/all

    January 23, 2012 06:47 pm at 6:47 pm |
  2. My name is Jose Jimenez

    Paul will plod along getting around 15% ultimately not gaining enough delegates to be a factor in the nomination process.

    January 23, 2012 06:53 pm at 6:53 pm |
  3. US guard

    Did anybody ask him about what his plan on illegall VAWA law? Rick did not know it

    January 23, 2012 07:00 pm at 7:00 pm |
  4. BJJSChecter

    How can Florida be allowed to vote or give input on anything political?

    January 23, 2012 07:00 pm at 7:00 pm |
  5. R. Glenn

    If Paul takes Nevada and Minnesota, that would put him on top in the delegate count even after Romney takes Florida. This race is just beginning. Looks to be an exciting nomination process!!

    January 23, 2012 07:12 pm at 7:12 pm |
  6. David

    Paul won't take first in Florida, so there is no reason to waste money there - not to mention, it's full of old retired Jews who love America's subsidy of Israel too much to vote for him - it's a wise move to move on to more literate, pro-Paul territories.

    January 24, 2012 07:24 am at 7:24 am |
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