The rules for who can run as a Republican in Tennessee have gotten harder.
State Republican Party Chairman Scott Golden said the GOP wants to remain welcoming to new supporters, but that doesn't mean they should immediately be able to become Republican standard bearers come election time.
In a little-noticed change to party bylaws approved this summer, candidates must now have voted in three out of the last four GOP state or federal level primaries to be considered bona fide Republican candidates. For candidates seeking to appear on next year's ballot, that will mean voting histories can be scrutinized going back to the August 2012.
Golden said formerly Democratic candidate Larry Crim, who’s now running as a Republican, could be affected in the event of a challenge.
