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COLUMBIA (WACH, AP) -- Another state is looking at overtaking South Carolina's early election on the 2012 Republican primary calendar.

A spokesman for Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer says she's considering alternatives in the face of an approaching deadline to move up the state's presidential primary.

Spokesman Matthew Benson says Brewer is still leaning toward moving up Arizona's primary to Jan. 31 to give Arizonans a louder voice nationally.

But he says other ways to put a spotlight on concerns such as illegal immigration and border security include having a debate for presidential candidates in Arizona.

Arizona law places the primary on Feb. 28, but the governor can set a new date by issuing a proclamation at least 150 days before the new date.

That means Brewer would have to issue a proclamation by Saturday to move the primary to Jan. 31. That's according to Brewer's office and the Arizona Secretary of State's Office.

Traditionally, Iowa goes first, followed by New Hampshire, South Carolina and Nevada. Other states risk losing delegates to the national convention if they jump in front.

A 2007 Florida law sets its primary for January 31 as well. That would displace South Carolina's status as the first-in-the-South primary state. South Carolina's primary is set for February 28.

In March, then-South Carolina GOP Chairwoman Karen Floyd said she has sent RNC members a letter calling for Tampa to lose the 2012 convention if Florida breaks the party's order for states to choose a nominee.

South Carolina officials brag that no GOP nominee has been minted without first winning the contest in their state.

Do you think Arizona of Florida's moves will impact South Carolina's primary?

(The Associated Press contributed to this report.)