Bill to close party primaries in Tennesee fails in committee.

In December the Tennessee Republican Party Executive Committee voted to support "closed primaries" and party registration in Tennessee. Legislation to accomplish that was introduced in February.  That fight is now most likely over, at least for this session of the legislature. If the bill passes in the Senate committee to which it is assigned, it could still pass but failing in a House committee was a damaging blow to the bill. In the Senate, the bill has been deferred to the Senate State and Local Government Committee and that committee has  deferred the bill to March 19th.

The House Local Committee voted against the bill with two in favor and 14 opposed.  Voting in favor of the bill were Mike Carter (R-Ooltewah) and Tim Rudd (R-Murfreesboro).


Voting against the bill were Kent Calfee (R-Kingston), Dale Carr (R-Sevierville), John Crawford (R-Kingsport), Jeremy Faison (R-Cosby), Bob Freeman (D-Nashville), Esther Helton (R-East Ridge), Jerome Moon (R-Maryville), Gloria Johnson (R-Knoxville), London Lamar (D-Memphis), Bob Ramsey (R-Maryville), Rick Tillis (R-Lewisburg), Ron Travis (R-Dayton) , Dave Wright (R-Corryton), and Yusuf Hakeem (D-Chattanooga).

I do not support closed primaries.  To read my commentary on the bill follow this link. To read the bill and follow legislative action follow this link. 

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