Supporters of the bill framed it as a way to let political party voters decide on the Senate race.

"If you trust the primary process and if you trust the voters and want to give them the max opportunity to weigh in as members of parties that are an integral part of our process, I would ask you to vote in favor of this bill," said committee Chairman Shaw Blackmon, a Republican from Bonaire.

State Rep. Scot Turner, who opposed the bill, warned against changing election rules in a contest where candidates are already campaigning.

“There are going to be a lot of hard choices we’re going to make because of the different sides lining up on this issue,” said Turner, a Republican from Holly Springs. “Don’t interject interparty squabbling into a process that was established.”

Despite Kemp's threat to veto the legislation, House Bill 757, is quickly moving forward. The bill will next be considered by the House Rules Committee before receiving a House vote.