On March 17, the Mississippi Democratic Party Executive Committee voted to bar George Dale from the party’s primary this year, for State Insurance Commissioner. He is the incumbent and he has always been elected as a Democrat (for eight full 4-year terms). The party took the action because Dale endorsed President Bush for re-election in 2004. He will probably file a lawsuit to get on the Democratic primary ballot, which is bound to make interesting law about the rights of political parties versus the rights of candidates. Similar lawsuits in Alabama have always resulted in wins for the political parties. A somewhat similar lawsuit in Missouri last year failed to settle the issue in that state.
George Dale, first elected in 1975, is the nation’s longest-serving insurance commissioner. His removal from the primary ballot will clear the way for a black to become the Democratic nominee.
Dale, who says he will definitely file suit to be put on the primary ballot, has not said which court he will use. He’ll presumably file in state court, as the federal courts almost always side with political parties in such matters.
BTW: Independents have the same filing deadling (March 1 this year) as party-affiliated candidates.