KFDA - NewsChannel 10 / Amarillo News, Weather, SportsTalks continue toward Texas primary date agreement

Talks continue toward Texas primary date agreement

By PAUL J. WEBER
Associated Press

SAN ANTONIO (AP) - Democrats and Republicans continue negotiations toward a deal on when Texas will hold its 2012 primary elections.

Both parties were meeting late Tuesday at a San Antonio federal courthouse. The Republican Party of Texas wants a three-judge panel to preserve a March 6 presidential primary date to ensure the state will be relevant in the GOP presidential nomination.

GOP party leaders have proposed holding two primary elections amid uncertainty surrounding state redistricting maps. One GOP proposal would have the state holding only a state presidential primary in March, and all other primary elections at a later date.

Democrats want a single primary and appear to favor a proposal for April 3.

Both sides did tentatively agree late Tuesday to extend the candidate filing deadline through Monday.