Thread by @samkarlin

.⁦@SteveScalise⁩,
⁦@AGJeffLandry⁩, ⁦@LouisianaLtGov⁩ are all here for the meeting of a task force that aims to close Louisiana’s open primary system. They’ll consider a resolution to do that today. #lalege #lagov

The draft resolution would only call for closing congressional primaries, not statewide races. Will be interested to hear what @AGJeffLandry thinks about this. #lalege #lagov

Some of the more conservative Republicans in Louisiana want closed party primaries because they believe it will lead to those further to the right winning the nominations and elections. Currently we have jungle primaries where all candidates appear on one ballot #lalege #lagov

Looks like @BillyNungesser is filling out a "red card," indicating he's opposed to closing the state's primaries.

Both he and Landry are considered probably contenders for governor in 2023 (though this resolution only applies to Congressional races) #lalege #lagov

Among the other notable people to come out against closed primaries: @BillCassidy and @RepGarretGraves #lalege #lagov

Charlie Buckels, a GOP activist, wants to extend closed primaries beyond Congressional races to state legislative races. He thinks it'll mean candidates will "run more on ideology." #lalege #lagov

.@LouisianaLtGov (who is considered one of the more moderate candidates, relatively speaking, for governor in 2023) is shaking his head as Buckels speaks about this. #lalege #lagov

By the way, this isn't just a Republican task force. Democratic state Sen. Cleo Fields has moved to approve the resolution calling for closed primaries in Congressional races. #lalege #lagov

Nungesser is testifying against the idea. "What we need is a strong Republican party that stands on its own two feet that doesn’t allow its candidates to lie about their opponents to win elections.” #lalege #lagov

"It's about representing all of Louisiana, not just Republicans. It's about electing the best person," Nungesser says. #lalege #lagov

Mike Francis, the chair of the @LAGOP from 1994-2000, says "Back then we had six Republican senators. And I used to say about half of them weren’t worth shooting.” #lalege #lagov

.@SteveScalise says he thinks most of Louisiana's congressional delegation wants closed primaries. As I mentioned, Bill Cassidy and Garret Graves have told me they oppose it. Higgins and Scalise support it. I haven't heard from Johnson/Kennedy. #lalege #lagov

The task force OKs the resolution calling for closed primaries for Congressional races, sending the recommendation to the Legislature for debate in the upcoming legislative session. #lalege #lagov

Lots of little disagreements emerging between Jeff Landry and Sharon Hewitt (also a potential 2023 governor contender) over some of the details of this stuff. #lalege #lagov

One interesting recommendation they want to make: If you are a "no-party" voter and you vote in one of the party primaries, your registration would automatically be updated to affiliate you with that party. Some debate over this. #lalege #lagov

The task force voted to recommend the Legislature close Louisiana's Congressional primaries, but no position on other statewide races. Hewitt tells me she wants to "walk before we run." The Lege and governor will need to agree on a bill to make it happen #lalege #lagov