Sen. Harry Reid backs Nevada's early caucus date

LAS VEGAS — Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid is endorsing Nevada's jump ahead in the Republican presidential nominating calendar and is telling New Hampshire to back off.

A Reid aide told The Associated Press Tuesday that Nevada Democrats will also move their caucus date to Jan. 14 in solidarity with Nevada Republicans, and state Democratic chairwoman Roberta Lange confirmed the change in date.

Reid is hoping to persuade Nevada Republicans to preserve their date despite a call to delay the contest from New Hampshire leaders. The secretary of state is threatening to hold New Hampshire's primary in early December unless Nevada moves its caucuses back.

Jon Huntsman and four other candidates say they will boycott Nevada's contest unless it's delayed. Huntsman has also declined Tuesday's debate.