Two of the state House’s most conservative Republicans announced their retirements soon after the legislature passed a budget and left town last week, the Nashville Post reports. Rep. Martin Daniel, R-Knoxville, and Rep. Andy Holt, R-Dresden, both said they would not seek another term in 2020. Daniel was originally elected in 2014 and chairs the House Government Operations Committee. Holt was first elected to the House in 2010 and chaired the Finance Subcommittee during former Speaker Glen Casada's brief tenure. This year he is chairing the Agriculture and Natural Resources Subcommittee. Attorney and Democrat Virginia Couch announced she would run for Daniel’s seat earlier this month. James Corcoran, an attorney who finished third in a crowded 2016 Republican primary against Daniel, has filed to seek the seat as well.

Tennessee Democratic Party Chair Mary Mancini has informed party leaders that the congressional district conventions scheduled for March 21 will be held via online conferencing rather than in person. The conventions take place within each congressional district to name delegates to the national convention. The Democratic National Committee offered state parties the flexibility to deal with the situation and other states are also taking the national party up on the offer, the Nashville Post reports.

Knoxville lawyer and small business owner Virginia Couch recently announced her intention to run for the District 18 seat in the state House of Representatives. Couch, an attorney with The Trust Company of Tennessee, is also the founder and co-owner of Barkside Lodge, a dog boarding, daycare, swimming and grooming center in Lenoir City. She earned her law degree from the University of Tennessee College of Law and has served as an adjunct faculty member for the school, teaching contract drafting. Read more from Knox Views.

A former Memphis City Council member and a former probate court clerk will meet on the August ballot for General Sessions Court Clerk, deciding the only countywide race in Memphis this election year, the Daily Memphian reports. Joe Brown, who termed out at the city council at the end of 2019 won the Democratic primary last week. Former Probate Court Clerk Paul Boyd won the Republican primary. The winner in the Aug. 6 county general election will succeed outgoing clerk Ed Stanton Jr., who did not seek re-election.

Former Tennessee Agriculture Commissioner Jai Templeton is running for the state Senate seat being vacated by retiring Republican Sen. Dolores Gresham, the Nashville Post reports. Templeton, a farmer and former McNairy County mayor, served as agriculture commissioner from 2016 to 2019. Gresham, who is chair of the Senate Education Committee, announced last week that she would not seek another term. District 26 includes Fayette, Haywood, Hardeman, Chester, McNairy, Hardin, Henderson and Decatur counties in West Tennessee.

Judicial candidates across the state competed in party primaries on Tuesday, many earning victories that ensure their election since they lack general election competition. The Administrative Office of the Courts offers a broad roundup. In Davidson County, Criminal Court Judge Jennifer Smith won re-appointment to her seat in Tuesday’s election, defeating challenger Tillman Payne III, and Chancery Court Judge Patricia Moskal was elected to serve her first full term after completing the remaining term of retired Chancellor Claudia Bonnyman, the Tennessean reports in its election roundup. In Knox County, Criminal Court Judge Kyle Hixson prevailed over Wesley Stone. In the primary contest for public defender, Republican Eric Lutton prevailed over Rhonda Lee, while Republican David Buuck prevailed over Cathy Quist Shanks in the primary for Knox County Law Director. Knoxnews has more on all races. And in Shelby County, Paul Boyd won the Republican primary for General Sessions Court Clerk, while Joe Brown prevailed in the Democratic primary.

Patti Possel of Cordova has filed papers to run as a Republican for the state House District 96 seat, representing Cordova and part of Germantown, the Daily Memphian reports. Possel, who holds an education degree from Wright State University, is currently running unopposed and will face off with Democratic state Rep. Dwayne Thompson should no other Republican join the race. Thompson beat out incumbent Steve McManus four years ago. The primary is set for August and the general election for November.

Oak Hill Mayor Heidi Campbell is the latest candidate to launch a campaign for state Senate District 20, currently held by Republican Sen. Steven Dickerson, the Nashville Post reports. Campbell, a Democrat, has served as mayor and vice mayor of the city. She will face educational consultant Kimi Abernathy in the Democratic primary. Dickerson, who frequently sides with Democrats, is the only Nashville Republican in the House or Senate. He is facing a primary challenge of his own against Brentwood business consultant Diane Michel.

The four candidates running for Coffee County General Sessions and Juvenile Court judge participated in a forum to meet community members and share their ideas last week, the Manchester Times reports. The candidates — Jason Huskey, Stacy Lynch, Greg Perry and Jess Stockwell — are all running as Republicans so the winner of the March primary will serve the rest of Judge Timothy Brock's term. Brock died suddenly last November leaving a vacancy.

Early voting for Tennessee’s presidential primary has officially begun, WRCBtv reports. Voters will be able to cast their ballots ahead of the March 3 presidential primary today through Feb. 25. Voters can find information about early voting and Election Day voting locations by using the GoVoteTN app or by visiting the Secretary of State's website.