BRIAN PERRY/ Nunnelee complications
The governor must issue the call for the special election within 60 days of the vacancy. That call sets the date of the election, which must be at least 60 days after the call.
Some would argue that the election should be called as early as possible so the people of the First District have a voice and representation in Washington. Currently, Nunnelee’s staff continue responding to active constituent case files; but the Clerk of the House manages the office and no policy positions can be advocated. An early election, conceivably, could be conducted in April.
It would make practical sense to call the election to coincide with the August 4 primary to reduce the costs associated with an election and the work involved by election officials. Many elected officials interested in running would have their decisions complicated by that choice.
Potentially, a candidate for reelection would be the party nominee by virtue of being the only candidate of that party who has qualified by the deadline – which will have passed by the time of the special election – or by winning the August 4 primary. If that candidate also won the congressional special election, he (or she) would obviously not seek reelection to the state or county office and withdraw from that race.
When a party nominee withdraws from a race between the primary and general election, the party executive committee can select a new nominee if the withdrawal is for a legitimate nonpolitical reason: health, family crisis or substantial business conflict. If winning a congressional seat is considered a political reason, then the party could not replace that candidate on the ballot.
That would not directly impact the candidate, but party leaders might not be happy if an opposing party’s candidate won their previously held seat without opposition.
Madison County Journal
2/18/15
