New York Governor Kathy Hochul has signed a Bill setting the state’s presidential primary for April 2, which may allow former president Donald Trump to remain on the ballot as he faces a hush-money criminal case in Manhattan court. Trump is set to go on trial on March 25, and the new primary date could create an unusual scenario where the former president is in court while Republican voters in the state choose their next presidential candidate.
Trump became the first former US president to face criminal charges when he was indicted this year on charges related to hush money payments made during the 2016 presidential campaign. He has pleaded not guilty. Since then, Trump has been indicted in multiple cases, including a federal classified documents case in Florida, a federal elections interference case in Washington, and an election subversion case in Georgia. He also faces two civil trials in New York alleging fraud and defamation.
The primary elections for March 19 have already been set for Ohio, Florida, Illinois, Kansas, and Arizona, while Pennsylvania’s state Senate has approved a Bill to move their state’s primary to March 19, pending passage in the state House of Representatives. Trump is currently leading a pack of Republican presidential hopefuls seeking the Republican nomination.
New York Governor Kathy Hochul (Via Kathy Hochul/Twitter)
As Trump faces court cases in multiple states while seeking a return to the White House, the new primary date could add a new layer of complexity to his already chaotic calendar. With his trial set to begin on March 25, Trump’s team is working to amplify his campaign efforts, particularly in Iowa, where he is seeking to lock in thousands of Republican caucus-goers. The former president has visited Iowa seven times this year, headlining policy and political events, and his campaign aims to collect signed cards from supporters pledging to back him in the January 15 caucuses.
Trump’s speech in Maquoketa, Iowa, focused on his efforts to win the Iowa caucuses, with the former president predicting a “historic landslide” victory. He also acknowledged his 2016 loss, blaming his previous campaign team, and emphasized his team’s determination to fight for every vote. The Trump campaign has been working to convert his lead among committed supporters and volunteers into actual votes.
The new primary date in New York is part of a broader effort by the state’s Democrat-controlled legislature to give voters more time to participate in the election process. The Bill, signed by Governor Hochul, sets a new deadline for candidates to submit their nomination papers, extending the filing period from early January to late December.
