Circuit Court Judge J. Eddie Lauderback, Criminal Court Judge Lisa N. Rice and Criminal Court Judge Stacy L. Street, all serving the state’s First Judicial District, are all seeking reelection. Lauterback has served in Part I of the district’s circuit court since 2015 when he was appointed by former Gov. Bill Haslam. Rice was elected criminal court judge, Part I, in 2014. Street was appointed to the criminal court by Haslam in 2013. According to a joint statement from the judges, all say they are proud to serve the citizens of the First Judicial District, which covers Carter, Johnson, Unicoi and Washington counties, and “wholeheartedly endorse” their fellow judges.

Eighth Judicial District Attorney General Jared Effler announced his intention to seek a second term last week, the Independent Herald reports. Effler was first elected in 2014. He says he has focused on prosecuting felony drug offenders, pursuing litigation against manufacturers of prescription pain pills, promoting drug rehabilitation for low-level offenders, and taking action against offenders who refuse to pay restitution to victims. “I believe the most important part of the district attorney and his staff is to be a voice for crime victims,” Effler said. He maintains an office in each of the district’s five counties: Scott, Campbell, Claiborne, Fentress and Union.

State Sen. Jack Johnson, R-Franklin, has pulled a petition to run for reelection, CommunityImpact.com reports. Johnson has served in the Senate since 2007 and would be seeking a fifth term. He sits on the Commerce and Labor, Ethics and Finance, and Ways and Means committees.

State Rep. Sam Whitson, R-Franklin, announced his reelection bid this week, the Williamson Home Page reports. He currently represents District 65 in the House of Representatives. In announcing his campaign, Whitson said, “It is time to move past the politics of the pandemic and focus on upgrading our infrastructure, backing those who serve, maintaining and protecting our community, and promoting economic opportunity for both citizens and businesses.” He touts his work supporting Columbia State Community College’s satellite campus in Franklin and Fairview High School’s mechatronics program. A member of the Save the Franklin Battlefield nonprofit, Whitson also highlights his work helping preserve Civil War-era artifacts in the area.

Nashville businessman Quincy McKnight withdrew from the race for Tennessee's 5th Congressional District yesterday, announcing his intention to instead run for Nashville mayor in 2023. McKnight, CEO of payment processing company Covenant Pay, said he decided he "can best serve the people of Nashville” as mayor, the Tennessean reports. His departure still leaves four candidates in the Republican primary: businessman Baxter Lee, former State Department spokesperson Morgan Ortagus, music video producer Robby Starbuck, and attorney and retired brigadier general Kurt Winstead. On the Democratic side, first-term Mayor John Cooper has not yet announced whether he will run for reelection. Local nonprofit leader Hal Cato says he is considering a run.

Laurence M. McMillan Jr. has announced that he will seek reelection as chancellor for the 19th Judicial District, serving Robertson and Montgomery counties, Main Street Clarksville reports. McMillan began his legal career in the Nashville office of Barnett and Alagia and continued his law practice after moving back to his hometown of Clarksville. He was appointed chancellor in December 2004 by former Gov. Phil Bredesen. McMillan was certified as a Civil Trial Specialist in 2001 by the National Board of Trial Advocacy and has served on its Board of Examiners. In 2014, he served as special judge on the Tennessee Court of Appeals for the Middle Section of Tennessee and also served on the Tennessee Supreme Court Worker’s Compensation Panel.

Leif Jeffers this week announced his intention to seek reelection to the office of 8th Judicial District Public Defender, The Independent Herald reports. Jeffers has served the district since September 2014 when he was first elected to the office. He began his career as a juvenile probation officer in 1989, and has served as an agent with the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation and as an assistant public defender, assistant district attorney general and municipal judge for the town of Winfield. The district covers Scott, Campbell, Claiborne, Fentress and Union counties.

Municipal judge and assistant district attorney general Bradley Sherman has announced his candidacy for the 12th Judicial District Circuit Court, Part 1, Rhea Herald News reports. Sherman lives in Cowan in Franklin County and serves as the municipal judge there, but works for the 17th Judicial District attorney general in nearby Lincoln County. He represents the office on the Lincoln County Recovery Court Team and has assisted in developing training programs for the Tennessee District Attorneys General Conference. The seat he is seeking covers Franklin, Grundy, Marion, Sequatchie, Bledsoe and Rhea counties. Sherman said in a news release that he appreciates the dedicated service of Judges Thomas W. Graham and J. Curtis Smith, both of whom are retiring from the court this year.

Health care executive Caleb Hemmer has announced his candidacy for state House District 59, the Nashville Post reports. Hemmer works at American Health Partners and serves on the Metro Board of Fair Commissioners. He previously was an aide to former Gov. Phil Bredesen. He will face public defender Jeff Preptit in the Democratic primary. Michelle Foreman is the only Republican in the race so far. The seat is currently held by Rep. Jason Potts, D-Nashville, who is retiring. The district was altered during redistricting, and now encompasses some of the most affluent neighborhoods in Davidson County, including Belle Meade, Forest Hills and Oak Hill as well as communities along the southern border of the county. Hemmer said his priorities in office would be affordable health care, sound fiscal management and high-paying jobs.

Jonesborough attorney Michael Rasnake recently announced his candidacy for judge in Washington County General Sessions Court, Division III, the Johnson City Press reports. Rasnake attended the University of Memphis Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law and worked five years at the Public Defender’s Office in Jackson, followed by four years in private practice. He returned to Washington County in 2005 and joined the District Attorney’s Office. Rasnake is a founding member of the county’s Recovery Court, which he says will “ensure a smooth transition” when he transitions to Recovery Court judge. “My real dream is to take that same problem-solving model we use in Recovery Court and create a Family Treatment Court like other counties in our state,” Rasnake said.