A bill that would prevent Tennesseans from running for two elected offices is closer to becoming law

Tennessee lawmakers are attempting to prevent a resident from running for multiple races at the same time.

The proposal could put a stop to one of the two races current Rep. Gloria Johnson, D-Knoxville, has her hat in. She’s running for reelection and Congress.

More: Knoxville Rep. Gloria Johnson announces U.S. Senate run for Marsha Blackburn’s seat

The Republican-sponsored bill sailed through the Senate State & Local Government committee on a party-line vote. However, on the Senate Floor Thursday, many Republicans who were not on that committee, stood up to speak against the idea.

Sen. Frank Niceley, R-Strawberry Plains, voted against the bill saying lawmakers should “let the voters decide.” He also spoke to the fact that several people hold full-time and part-time jobs, and elected officials shouldn’t be exempt from that.

Bill sponsor Sen. Richard Briggs, R-Knoxville, fought back on the idea, saying that current law would allow a person to hold as many as five elected offices at once.

“It can be county commission, city council, city school board, county school board and state representative,” Briggs said. “And I think that’s just too much.”

In the end, the bill passed on a 17-15 vote. The House version is scheduled for a hearing in the Local Government Committee next week.

The bill could also impact those considering to run for outgoing Congressman Mark Green’s seat. He announced last week that he would not be running for a fourth term, leaving former Nashville Mayor Democrat Megan Barry as the only candidate in the race.