Bill To Block Congressional Newcomers Passes House But Raises Confusion
Image Credit: capitol.tn.gov
The Tennessee Conservative [By Paula Gomes] –
After HB2764 was substituted and conformed to SB2616 on the House floor yesterday evening, some confusion arose over when the bill would take effect. Several representatives questioned Representative Dave Wright (R-Corryton-District 19), the bill’s sponsor, on whether the bill would affect the upcoming elections this year. Wright said that the Senate version of the bill states that the legislation will take effect upon signing.
When asked if Wright knew anyone who was running for Congress from Tennessee who would be affected by the bill, Wright replied, “No one I know.”
The Senate version of the bill, sponsored by Senator Frank Niceley (R-Strawberry Plains- District 8), passed in the Senate with an overwhelming 32-1 vote. The original bill had been amended from requiring that congressional candidates have voted in the three previous elections in Tennessee to requiring a three-year minimum residency in the state when they enter a primary election.
We previously reported that Wright was planning to amend the measure by postponing the effective date of the bill until after the November election making anyone who qualifies before the April deadline for the primary election eligible for the Fall vote.
The bill passed 86 to 0 with 6 present but not voting, but there is a discrepancy between the House version of the bill that passed yesterday and the Senate version that passed on February 28th.
A February 28th amendment to the House version states that the legislation will not take effect until November 9th, 2022. In contrast, the Senate version makes no mention of the delay before the effective date.
Should the effective date be delayed (as shown in the House amendment), District 5 candidate Morgan Ortagus would be eligible to run in the primary.
However, if the Senate version of the bill takes precedence and Governor Lee signs it into law, then she will not be able to run.
The Tennessee Conservative has reached out to Representative Dave Wright for clarification on this point and we will publish updates as new information become available.
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Summary of Amended Senate Bill (amended Feb. 9, 2022):
Requires a person to meet the residency requirements for state senators and representatives in order to qualify as a candidate in a primary election for United States Senator or member of the United States House of Representatives.
Summary of Amended House Bill (amended Feb. 28, 2022):
Requires a person to have been a resident of this state for at least three years in order to qualify as a candidate for United States Senator. Requires a person to have been a resident of the district which they intend to represent for at least three years in order to qualify as a candidate for member of the United States House of Representatives. Does not apply to incumbent members of the United States Senate or House of Representatives. Takes effect November 9, 2022.
About the Author: Paula Gomes is a Tennessee resident and reporter for The Tennessee Conservative. You can reach Paula at paula@tennesseeconservativenews.com.
Where does this leave Robby Starbuck & WHY is he never mentioned in these articles?!?
I DO NOT think they should be able to pass this & make it effective immediately.
Especially when it is less then a year away from an election that people have spent time & money for campaigning.
Hey Jen! We did mention Robby in several of our previous articles regarding this. He should be free and clear to run even if this bill passes as he meets the 3-year residency requirement. We stopped mentioning him after the first time we reported that the bill had been changed from 3 time voting in the state to 3-year residency. At this point, so far as we know, the passage of the bill would only affect Ortagus.