NASHVILLE (AP) - A proposed constitutional amendment calling for the popular election of the state's attorney general has failed again in the Senate.

The measure sponsored by Republican Sen. Mae Beavers of Mt. Juliet was defeated 16-15 on Thursday after failing to get a majority of 17 votes. It failed to pass 15-14 last month.

Under the state's constitution, the attorney general is appointed to an eight-year term by the state Supreme Court.

Senate Majority Leader Jim Kyle was the only Democrat to vote for the measure on Thursday.

Kyle has said the popular election of the attorney general could present the best opportunity for a Democrat to run a competitive statewide race. The only current positions elected by the entire state are the governor and the Tennessee's two U.S. senators.

Under Senate rules, Beavers cannot bring the measure up again.