Some state GOP leaders taking exception to the fact that Florida wants be the first southern state to go in primary season.

South Carolina Republican Party Chairman Chad Connelly says he'll wait to see what Florida does before announcing a date for the Palmetto State's presidential primary.

Florida is poised to hold its presidential primary Jan. 31.  The vote to finalize that date will be held Friday and a decision will be handed down by noon, according to Florida GOP chairman Lenny Curry.

Connelly said Thursday if Florida insists on breaking Republican rules and moving up the nominating contests, then South Carolina and other three traditional early-voting states will move their dates too.

He says South Carolina will preserve its first-in-the-South primary, no matter what. But Connelly says he won't be forced by what he called "rogue states'' to break the rules first.

Curry says the Florida GOP doesn't have much say in when the primary is held.  The decision will be made by a committe of 9 people, 3 appointed by the governor, 3 appointed by the House, and 3 appointed by the Senate.

"The Speaker of the House, Speaker Cannon, has said that with the date selected, it's not their intention to jump South Carolina."

Connelly has said that Florida should just stick to the suggested calendar put forth by the national GOP.

A date earlier than March 6 for all but Iowa, New Hampshire, South Carolina and Nevada would violate Republican Party rules.  A Republican National Committee vote last year allowed those four to vote in February.