Feb 27, 2016: Clarion Ledger: Hall: Gunn struggling to adapt to supermajority
While Gunn’s speakership has never been in question, he clearly does not have absolute control over the Republican majority. Behind-the-scene tensions have only grown since the House voted to overturn the election of Bo Eaton, a Democrat, and seat Rep. Mark Tullos, R-Raleigh. That was a purely political move that Gunn pushed in order to gain a three-fifths supermajority needed to pass any appropriations bills.
While Gunn’s speakership has never been in question, he clearly does not have absolute control over the Republican majority. Behind-the-scene tensions have only grown since the House voted to overturn the election of Bo Eaton, a Democrat, and seat Rep. Mark Tullos, R-Raleigh. That was a purely political move that Gunn pushed in order to gain a three-fifths supermajority needed to pass any appropriations bills.
Jan 20, 2016: Jackson Free Press: Election Disputes: No Bibles, and Lots of Swearing
Rep. Bo Eaton, D-Taylorsville, who has represented District 79 since 1996, won the tiebreaker by drawing straws in November as state law instructs. But his challenger, Mark Tullos, disputed that the election was a tie in the first place due to what he calls a secret meeting of the election commission when its members counted nine affidavit ballots that led to a tie in the first place. Tullos also says five of those ballots should not be counted due to a violation of a rule in state law that allows voters who move within 30 days prior to the election to vote by affidavit ballot.
Rep. Bo Eaton, D-Taylorsville, who has represented District 79 since 1996, won the tiebreaker by drawing straws in November as state law instructs. But his challenger, Mark Tullos, disputed that the election was a tie in the first place due to what he calls a secret meeting of the election commission when its members counted nine affidavit ballots that led to a tie in the first place. Tullos also says five of those ballots should not be counted due to a violation of a rule in state law that allows voters who move within 30 days prior to the election to vote by affidavit ballot.
Jan 20, 2016: WLBT: The Latest: Miss. House sets GOP winner of contested race
The House voted 67-49 Wednesday to seat Mark Tullos of Raleigh as the District 79 representative from Smith and Jasper counties. It was mostly along party lines. The decision unseats Democratic Rep. Bo Eaton, who won a tiebreaker in November by a drawing of straws.
The House voted 67-49 Wednesday to seat Mark Tullos of Raleigh as the District 79 representative from Smith and Jasper counties. It was mostly along party lines. The decision unseats Democratic Rep. Bo Eaton, who won a tiebreaker in November by a drawing of straws.
Jan 11, 2016: Clarion Ledger: Hearings for contested House, Senate races set
Republican challenger Mark Tullos has appealed his loss -- or, technically his tie -- with incumbent Democratic Rep. Bo Eaton of Taylorsville. After the race was declared a tie, Eaton won re-election to the seat by drawing straws, per state law. But Tullos says irregularities with counting affidavit ballots resulted in the tie and he should be declared the winner or a new election be called.
Republican challenger Mark Tullos has appealed his loss -- or, technically his tie -- with incumbent Democratic Rep. Bo Eaton of Taylorsville. After the race was declared a tie, Eaton won re-election to the seat by drawing straws, per state law. But Tullos says irregularities with counting affidavit ballots resulted in the tie and he should be declared the winner or a new election be called.
Jan 6, 2016: Madison County Journal: PERRY/2016 Legislature
Democrat incumbent Bo Eaton won reelection in a tied race settled by drawing straws. His Republican challenger Mark Tullos claims the race should not have ended in a tie because affidavit votes were improperly counted and removing those votes would instead give him the win. The other petition is by Tasha Dillon who lost by 144 votes to incumbent David Myers in the District 98 Democratic Primary.
Democrat incumbent Bo Eaton won reelection in a tied race settled by drawing straws. His Republican challenger Mark Tullos claims the race should not have ended in a tie because affidavit votes were improperly counted and removing those votes would instead give him the win. The other petition is by Tasha Dillon who lost by 144 votes to incumbent David Myers in the District 98 Democratic Primary.
Dec 22, 2015: WTVA: Miss. House race is tied up--literally
The Democrat drew the long straw last month. Five-term incumbent Bo Eaton is trying to hold onto his seat. But Republicans would be pushed over the edge to a supermajority if his challenger Mark Tullos gets a victory.
The Democrat drew the long straw last month. Five-term incumbent Bo Eaton is trying to hold onto his seat. But Republicans would be pushed over the edge to a supermajority if his challenger Mark Tullos gets a victory.
Dec 21, 2015: WJTV: Incumbent: Votes properly counted in tied Mississippi race
Republican challenger Mark Tullos of Raleigh says the nine votes should not have been counted and the race should not have been tied at 4,589 votes each.
Republican challenger Mark Tullos of Raleigh says the nine votes should not have been counted and the race should not have been tied at 4,589 votes each.
Nov 23, 2015: Jackson Free Press: After Getting the Short Straw, Tullos Appeals Loss to the Miss. House
Democratic Rep. Bo Eaton, a 20-year incumbent from Taylorsville, drew a long green straw on Friday in a tiebreaking ceremony overseen by the governor and secretary of state. That made him the winner over Republican Mark Tullos of Raleigh, who drew a short red straw.
Democratic Rep. Bo Eaton, a 20-year incumbent from Taylorsville, drew a long green straw on Friday in a tiebreaking ceremony overseen by the governor and secretary of state. That made him the winner over Republican Mark Tullos of Raleigh, who drew a short red straw.