Dr. J. Adam Lowe, a small businessman and conservative talk radio host, has announced his bid for the Ninth District state senate seat currently held by Sen. Mike Bell, R-Riceville, the Chattanoogan reports. Bell has announced plans to retire. Lowe is a faculty member in public policy for Lynchburg, Virginia’s Liberty University and Montreat College in Asheville, North Carolina. He was previously executive director of the Cleveland State Foundation, where he helped steward the Bradley Achieves scholarship program and helped catalyze programs in workforce development. For six years, Lowe has hosted the conservative talk radio show, “Man Up America,” for Talk 101.3 FM. He was actively involved in the promotion of the “Yes On One” ballot initiative and served as a delegate to the 2016 Republican National Convention.

Candidates for Davidson County district attorney general are beginning to fundraise in earnest, the Nashville Post reports. Former federal prosecutor Sara Beth Myers held her first campaign event in December and reportedly raised more than $30,000. Among her supporters are state Rep. Darren Jernigan, potential mayoral candidate Hal Cato and former TBA executive director Allan Ramsaur. A second candidate, former Assistant Nashville District Attorney Danielle Nellis, is hosting a fundraiser on Jan. 18 at the offices of Klein Solomon Mills PLLC. Hosts include lawyers at the firm and Tayo Atanda, an Amazon attorney and former Waller Lansden partner. Today, incumbent Glenn Funk will kick off his campaign at the offices of Freeman Webb. His backers include attorney Charles Robert Bone, Conviction Review Unity leader Sunny Eaton, developer Tony Giarratana, Tennessee State University President Glenda Glover and former Mayor Bill Purcell.

Chattanooga lawyer Andrew S. Cunnyngham has announced his campaign to be the Republican candidate for the 12th Judicial District Circuit Court, Chattanoogan.com reports. Cunnyngham is currently working with the Wooden Law Firm and is a mediator. He earned his law degree in 2001 from Samford University’s Cumberland School of Law. Cunnyngham says he is running on a platform of modernizing the courts and cleaning up “old court dockets.” The district covers the counties of Bledsoe, Grundy, Franklin, Marion, Rhea and Sequatchie.

Johnson City attorney Stephanie Sherwood has announced she is running for Washington County General Sessions Court Part III judge, Johnson City Press reports. Sherwood has served for 12 years as a special substitute judge in Johnson City Municipal Court. She has also practiced in all three divisions of General Sessions Court - criminal, civil, and juvenile - across eight counties in East Tennessee during her 13 years as an attorney. Sherwood will be on the Washington County Republican primary election ballot on May 3.

The debut of a new voting system in Shelby County is facing a possible delay after a chancery court ruling did not resolve the standoff between the Shelby County Commission and the Shelby County Election Commission over the new system, the Daily Memphian reports. The election commission filed suit last year, claiming the county commission illegally blocked its choice of voting machines by rejecting its contract with ES&S LLC. Special Chancellor Gadson W. Perry ruled in September that, by state law, the election commission can determine what kind of system to use, but the county commission decides whether to fund it. Perry said from the bench that he would grant permission for the election commission to appeal, but has not issued the formal order. With no appeals court order, there is uncertainty on whether a new system could be in place in time for three elections this year. If no new system is purchased, the county will continue to use its 20-year-old touchscreen machines.  

The TBI is investigating Hamilton County District Attorney candidate Coty Wamp at the request of current DA Neal Pinkston, who is accusing his political rival of witness tampering. According to WRCB, Pinkston submitted the request on Jan. 6, alleging Wamp had participated in obstruction of justice after a shooting in Soddy Daisy two days prior. After a suspect was apprehended, the request says Wamp told police they had the wrong suspect in custody. It states the victims recanted their original story after interactions with Wamp. Wamp, who is legal counsel for the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Department, told the Times Free Press she was “helping victims communicate” with the police department. She will face off against Pinkston in the Republican primary in May.

The Chattanooga Bar Association has released the results of its annual judicial poll, Chattanoogan.com reports. Local attorneys were asked to rate 17 judges. The news source has the breakdown of approval rates for each judge in four categories: superior legal ability, good moral character, diligence and judicial temperament. Those with the highest rates across all categories were Circuit Court Judge Jeff Hollingsworth, who is not running for re-election; Criminal Court Judges Tom Greenholtz, Barry Steelman and Don Poole, who is retiring; Juvenile Court Judge Rob Philyaw; and General Sessions Court Judge Alex McVeagh.

Judge Max Fagan has announced his intentions to run for Robertson County General Sessions Court in the 2022 Republican primary. Fagan has more than 25 years of legal experience, both as an attorney and judge. He currently serves as a special judge designated by the Tennessee Supreme Court and a special master for the U.S. District Court for Middle Tennessee, the Robertson County Connection reports. A 1994 graduate of the Nashville School of Law, Fagan previously served as a general sessions judge in the county from 1998 to 2006. He also has held a number of related positions, including executive committee member of the Tennessee Council of Juvenile and Family Court and member of the Tennessee Supreme Court’s Judicial Council. He was a member of the TBA’s 2005 Leadership Law class.

Dickson attorney Leonard Belmares today launched his campaign for Circuit Court Division 3 in the 23rd Judicial District, which includes Cheatham, Dickson, Houston, Humphreys and Stewart counties. He is seeking the Republican nomination. After graduating from law school in Texas, Belmares returned to his hometown, opening a solo legal practice in downtown Dickson. In addition to handling criminal and civil cases at all levels, Belmares has also served as municipal court judge in White Bluff. He has been active in supporting Dickson County CASA, an organization that recruits and trains volunteers to advocate for abused and neglected children in juvenile court, and supports creation of a veterans' court in the judicial district.

Tennessee state Rep. Clay Doggett, R-Pulaski, has announced that he will seek another term, Johnson City Press reports. Doggett, a small business owner, has served the 70th House District since 2018, covering all of Giles and parts of Lawrence counties. In the General Assembly, Doggett is a member of the Criminal Justice, Agriculture and Natural Resources and Naming and Designating committees. He also serves as chairman of the Criminal Justice Subcommittee. Doggett sponsored the Leigh Ann Act, a law that allows anyone who knowingly violates a no contact order to be charged with a Class A misdemeanor. Doggett says additional support for law enforcement will be one of his top priorities in the coming year.