McDaniel Believes Reeves Is Trying To Kill Closed Primary Bill

JACKSON, Miss. (AP) – A state lawmaker who lost a U.S. Senate race last year says he wants Mississippi to have a closed primary system, but he thinks the lieutenant governor is blocking the way.

Republican Chris McDaniel of Ellisville is chairman of the Senate Elections Committee. He complained Thursday that Republican Lt. Gov. Tate Reeves had sent a closed-primary proposal to both the Appropriations Committee and the Elections Committee.

McDaniel says he thinks sending a bill to two committees is simply a way to kill it.

However, many bills survive two committees.

Reeves’ spokeswoman, Laura Hipp, says McDaniel, like other senators, can try to persuade colleagues to pass bills he files.

McDaniel’s Senate Bill 2613 would require voters to register by party.

Tuesday is the deadline for committees to consider bills.