Four Republicans and one Democrat in the House will hear the appeal of Mark Tullos, who lost a drawing of straws to Rep. Bo Eaton after the two tied in the Nov. 3 election. A spokesman for House Speaker Philip Gunn said the committee could meet as early as this week. Gunn selected the five members from each of the state’s old five congressional districts, as required by state law. The five committee members are state Reps. Jim Beckett, R-Bruce; Linda Coleman, D-Mount Bayou; Mark Baker, R-Brandon; Bill Denny, R-Jackson; and Richard Bennett, R-Long Beach. Nathan Wells, Gunn’s chief of staff, said Monday the speaker won’t make any comments about the election challenge, with the committee having to decide the outcome. “I don’t know the exact time line, but I would expect them to meet very soon,” Wells said.
Baker, who was named chairman of the House committee, said Monday that the committee will meet at 10 a.m. Tuesday to organize and go over rules. He said the committee will formally meet the first day of the 2016 Legislature, which begins Jan. 5.
“It’s way too early to get into anything,” Baker said of details.
Eaton and Tullos tied at 4,589 votes in the final tally from the Nov. 3 general election. On Nov. 20, per state law, the two drew straws under the supervision of the governor and secretary of state to break the tie.
Full Article: House committee set to decide election.