NEW YORK, NY March 05, 2007 —New Jersey's decision to move its presidential primary to the first Tuesday in February from June, has jump-started the 2008 race in the Garden State. WNYC's Bob Hennelly has more.

New Jersey's primary is almost a year away, yet former Mayor Rudolph Giuliani has already racked up endorsements from 12 of the state's influential 21 Republican county chairmen. Senator John McCain has just 2. Giuliani is no doubt benefiting from the years spent crisscrossing the state to stump for New Jersey Republican candidates.

Meanwhile, in the race for the Democratic nomination, former Senator John Edwards has won the early backing of Senate President Richard Codey, while Governor Jon Corzine is leaning towards his former Senate colleague Senator Hillary Clinton. Also afoot - a drive to draft former Vice President Al Gore. For WNYC. I'm Bob Hennelly.