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GOP Presidential Candidates Flock To Nevada

Republican presidential candidates are taking the campaign trail to Nevada, one of the earliest primary election states.

As the early presidential primaries inch closer, candidates are hitting the ground in Nevada, the Associated Press reports. The state's nominating contest had been tentatively set for Feb. 18, but state Republicans voted Saturday to push it ahead of Florida's Jan. 31 date -- a move that will cost Nevada half of its delegates at the national convention.

Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, Sen. Ron Paul and businessman Herman Cain have been present in the Silver State for months, hiring campaign staffs, opening offices and assembling a small army of volunteers, according to the AP. Now the rest of the field is following their lead: Former Utah Gov. Jon Hunstmen hired a Nevada casino owner to join his team. Gov. Rick Perry and U.S. Rep. Michelle Bachmann are expected to visit the state. On Oct. 18, Las Vegas will host a debate.

Nevada's Republican party altered its primary format this year in hopes of enticing candidates to pay more attention to the state, the news agency reports. Instead of holding a "winner-takes-all" election, as in 2008, delegates will be awarded proportionally to the number of votes a candidate earns.

Nevada currently holds the highest unemployment rate in the nation, making job creation the major talking point for the candidates, according to the AP.

Dylan Scott is a GOVERNING staff writer.
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