BOBBY HARRISON: Complexities in election challenge
The decision by the Mississippi Supreme Court rendered in the McDaniel vs. Cochran case will have long-lasting implications that could impact future elections.
The Supreme Court is weighing whether Chris McDaniel’s challenge of his election loss to six-term incumbent U.S. Sen. Thad Cochran in the June 24 Republican primary runoff should be dismissed because he waited too late to file it.
As so often is the case in legal disputes, it could be argued that the laws passed by the Legislature dealing with this issue are confusing and ambiguous. A reasonable argument could be made on either side of the issue.
But from a public policy perspective, it appears that Cochran is arguing through his attorneys that a candidate for a local election, such as for constable, should have more time to decide to challenge the results than a candidate for a statewide office, such as for governor or U.S. senator.
Daily Journal
10/8/14
