The Tennessee Star quotes unnamed sources saying that Gov. Bill Lee’s preferred choice for state attorney general is former Tennessee Court of Appeals judge and state Chief Operating Officer Brandon Gibson. The Tennessee Supreme Court ultimately appoints the state attorney general, but the Star reports that its sources say it is a “generally held belief amongst those high up in the Lee administration and the Governor himself, that she [Gibson] has the job in the bag.”

State Rep. Gloria Johnson, D-Knoxville, is recovering, but “ready to go,” after suffering what is believed to have been a mini-stroke over the weekend, WBIR reports. Johnson, who turns 60 this week, collapsed on Saturday evening and was taken to the University of Tennessee Medical Center's emergency room. She was not admitted to the hospital. Doctors think she likely suffered what is referred to as a transient ischemic attack, or TIA, she said. Johnson has been representing District 13 in the state House, but after this year’s redistricting, has been prompted to move to District 90.

Officials with the Tennessee Democratic Party say they will host three gubernatorial debates ahead of the upcoming August primary election, the Associated Press reports. According to a news release, Democratic candidates Jason Martin, Carnita Atwater and JB Smiley Jr. will participate in all three of the debates which will take place on May 26 in Knoxville, June 21 in Nashville and July 12 in Memphis. Whoever wins the August primary will face off against Republican incumbent Gov. Bill Lee, who is running for a second term. WBBJ TV.com has the story.

The U.S. Supreme Court ruled today that federal law limiting the amount of money candidates can raise to pay off personal debt violates the First Amendment. The Hill reports that the court, on a 6-3 vote, struck down a $250,000 cap on the amount of post-election funds a candidate can use to repay personal loans made to his or her campaign. Chief Justice John Roberts, writing for the majority, said the law unduly burdens a candidate’s constitutional right “to use his own money to facilitate political speech.” The case was brought by U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, who sued the Federal Election Commission in an effort to pay off debt in excess of the federal limit.

John Ryder, a Memphis attorney who was active in the state and national Republican parties for decades, died this weekend after a long a battle with cancer. He was 72 years old. Ryder practiced election and bankruptcy law at Harris Shelton and was widely considered an expert on election issues. He volunteered in a variety of different capacities in both government and politics. Most recently, he completed an appointment to the Tennessee Valley Authority. For 16 years he served on the board of the Tennessee Republican National Committee and more recently as the board’s general counsel. The Commercial Appeal has more on his life. Information about funeral services has not yet been announced.

Robby Starbuck, a former candidate for Tennessee’s 5th Congressional District, this week filed suit against the state Republican Party, claiming it illegally removed him from its primary ballot, the Tennessean reports. The party’s executive committee voted to remove Starbuck and fellow candidates Morgan Ortagus and Baxter Lee after finding the three did not meet Republican “bona fides.” Starbuck claims that vote was conducted secretly and against the party's own bylaws in a manner "inconsistent with federal and state law." He is asking the court for an injunction that would stop his official removal from the primary ballot.

Metro Council Member Freddie O’Connell yesterday confirmed that he will run for Nashville mayor in 2023, the Tennessean reports. O’Connell serves Nashville’s District 19, the city's most populous and fastest-growing district. Since being elected to Metro Council in 2015, O’Connell pushed for improved and increased transit and  infrastructure for bicyclists and pedestrians as well as services aiming to house Nashvillians experiencing homelessness. He said his decision to enter the mayoral race stems in part from a desire for clearer policies and more decisive actions surrounding Nashville's response to homelessness and increasing transit needs as the city grows.

U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump have upcoming speaking engagements in Tennessee, the Tennessee Journal reports. Harris is scheduled to deliver the commencement address at Tennessee State University in Nashville on May 7. Trump will be in Memphis as part of his “American Freedom” tour on June 18. The roster of speakers is also expected to include Donald Trump Jr., commentator Candace Owens and former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo.

The Tennessee Republican Party yesterday voted to remove three congressional hopefuls from the primary ballot in the redistricted 5th Congressional District, the Tennessean reports. Official challenges had been filed against Baxter Lee, Morgan Ortagus and Robby Starbuck on the basis of their party bona fides. Those filings triggered a technical removal from the ballot per party bylaws. The party could have restored them to the ballot but declined to do so.

National Republican leaders have narrowed their list of potential 2024 nominating convention sites to two: Nashville and Milwaukee, Politico reports. The Republican National Committee’s site selection committee recently voted to eliminate Salt Lake City from contention leaving just Nashville and Milwaukee. Representatives from the two remaining contenders will visit Washington, D.C., next week to make final pitches. Last year, Gov. Bill Lee asked Nashville tourism officials to bid for both the Republican and Democratic conventions.