NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Tennessee's presidential primary may be scrapped to help avoid a projected $780 million deficit for the next budget year.

Secretary of State Riley Darnell made the suggestion to members of a Senate finance committee Tuesday. He said eliminating the March primary would save $3.5 million every four years.

Darnell said the state has ceased to be a factor in selecting presidential candidates because 18 states and the District of Columbia have scheduled caucuses or primaries earlier than Tennessee.

Jim Hester, executive director of the state Democratic Party, said party officials are trying to determine what effect eliminating the primary would have on local elections.

Republican Party spokeswoman Elizabeth Phillips said Darnell's suggestion is worth looking at because of the budget crisis, but she could not say whether the party is for or against eliminating the primary.

Several other states have debated the issue to save money. Colorado eliminated its primary, while Utah lawmakers decided to cancel the primary for 2004. Similar proposals have been made in Kansas, Missouri and Arizona.

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On the Net:

Tennessee Division of Elections: http://www.state.tn.us/sos/election.htm