A federal appeals court has revived a First Amendment lawsuit filed by the Catoosa County Republican Party, which challenges the county Board of Elections for requiring the party to include candidates on the 2024 primary ballot that it opposed.
The ruling, issued Thursday, reverses a previous decision by a federal judge who dismissed the GOP’s lawsuit nine months ago.
The dispute centers on four candidates—Jeff Long, Vanita Hullander, Steven Henry, and Larry Black—whom the Catoosa County GOP sought to exclude from the party’s primary ballot. The party argued these candidates did not align with the GOP platform and thus should not represent the party in the election. However, the county Board of Elections insisted that all qualified candidates be placed on the ballot.
The GOP’s lawsuit contended that forcing the party to list unwanted candidates violated its First Amendment rights, specifically the freedom of association. The issue sparked local controversy, with some residents voicing their concerns at a town hall meeting last year.
Steven Henry, Chairman of the Board of Commissioners and one of the candidates opposed by the GOP, expressed his eagerness for a conclusive ruling. “We have been trying in five different courts to get a judge to actually hear the case and make a decision based on its merits instead of dismissing it or delaying,” Henry said.
Henry emphasized the broader implications of the case. “When a small group can dictate who appears on the ballot, regardless of voter choice, it undermines democracy. It’s the American people who should decide their representatives,” he said.
The Catoosa County GOP issued a statement applauding the appeals court decision, framing it as a defense of constitutional rights. The party said, “Political parties, as private organizations, possess a constitutionally protected First Amendment right to freedom of association. This means the government cannot force a party to support candidates who openly reject the party’s core principles and values.”
The party described the ruling as “a victory not only for the Catoosa GOP but for every American who values freedom, integrity, and principled leadership.”
On the other side, Rob Nolen, Chairman of the Catoosa County Democratic Party, criticized the GOP’s position. “While one party is actively trying to take choices away from voters, the Catoosa County Democrats remain focused on presenting voters with more, not fewer, candidates for local elections,” Nolen said. He encouraged anyone interested in running under the Democratic banner to reach out to the party.
Henry warned that the case’s outcome could have far-reaching consequences. “If government can impose this kind of control here, it could spread to state and federal elections nationwide,” he said.
The case will now return to the lower courts for further proceedings.