Jackson lawyer Joseph T. Howell announced his candidacy for the 26th Judicial District Circuit Court, Division 1, this week. Howell has practiced law for 21 years, including serving as a juvenile court magistrate for Madison County General Sessions Court and Juvenile Court Judge Christy Little. He is a former board member of Madison County CASA and was named the group’s child advocate of the year in 2018. He is a member of the Madison County Bar Association and Howell Edmund Jackson Inn of Court and has served as a disciplinary hearing committee member for the Tennessee Board of Professional Responsibility. Howell is running as a Republican to replace Judge Roy Morgan, who has taken senior status.

Blount County Assistant District Attorney General Ryan Desmond, who has served since 2010, recently announced his intent to run for district attorney general in 2022, The Daily Times reports. Since 1977, only two district attorneys general have been voted into office for Blount County’s judicial district; Mike Flynn, the second elected, has served since 1990. Flynn has not officially announced retirement, but he has indicated he is in support of Desmond’s run, according to the paper.

Davidson County Circuit Court Judge Hamilton Gayden confirmed last week that he will not seek reelection in 2022. Gayden was appointed in 1974 by then-Gov. Winfield Dunn and has served 47 years on the bench — the longest judicial tenure in the state. "It's been an honor and a privilege to serve the citizens of Davidson County,” Gayden said in a statement. “I will miss being on the bench but at 82 years old, it is time to hand the gavel over to a younger judge." 

Davidson County Circuit Court Judge Hamilton Gayden confirmed this week that he will not seek reelection in 2022. Gayden was appointed in 1974 by then-Gov. Winfield Dunn and has served 47 years on the bench — the longest judicial tenure in the state. "It's been an honor and a privilege to serve the citizens of Davidson County,” Gayden said in a statement. “I will miss being on the bench but at 82 years old, it is time to hand the gavel over to a younger judge." 

The Tennessee Republican Party in a 33-22 vote has decided to charge candidates seeking to represent the GOP on the ballot, the Nashville Post reports on the original story from the Tennessee Journal. Republican candidates for governor and U.S. Senate will be charged $5,000 for the privilege of running, candidates for U.S. House will pay $2,500, candidates for state Senate will pay $1,000, candidates for state House will pay $500, partisan judicial candidates will pay $500, candidates for countywide positions will pay $100 and county commission and constable candidates will pay $25. The measure was passed to cut down on unserious candidates and to bring in more money for the state party. 

Hamilton County General Sessions Court Judge Alex McVeagh today launched his campaign for a new term on the bench. McVeagh was appointed to the seat in 2017 at age 31, making him one of the youngest judges in Tennessee history, Chattanoogan.com reports. Since taking the bench, McVeagh has been tapped to serve on the Tennessee Supreme Court’s Access to Justice Commission and Gov. Bill Lee’s Criminal Justice Reform Task Force. He also founded and presides over Hamilton County’s first misdemeanor Drug Recovery Court. McVeagh currently serves as president of the Chattanooga Bar Association YLD, East Tennessee governor for the TBA YLD and Tennessee’s young lawyer delegate to the American Bar Association’s House of Delegates.

Madison County attorney Steve Maroney resigned from that post last week to prepare to take over as 26th Judicial District chancellor, the Jackson Sun reports. He received a standing ovation for his nine years of service. Maroney also will have to vacate two other positions he holds: attorney for the town of Three Way and Bolivar city attorney. The Madison County Commission and board of aldermen for Three Way will select new officers, while Bolivar Mayor Julian McTizic will appoint a replacement. Gov. Bill Lee appointed Maroney to the chancery court on Aug. 13. He replaces retired judge Jimmy Butler. Maroney will serve the rest of Butler’s term but also has said that he will run for his own term in 2022.

Greeneville Pastor Casey Nicholson last week announced he will run for the Democratic nomination for governor. Nicholson previously ran for state representative in 2008 and served as chair of the Greene County Democratic Party. He indicated his primary issue will be current Gov. Bill Lee's leadership, which he describes as lacking during the COVID crisis. Nicholson joins Dr. Jason Martin, a pulmonary and critical care specialist in Nashville, who also made his run official last week, and Democrat Carnita Atwater of Memphis, according to the Nashville Post.

Williamson County Juvenile Court Judge Sharon Guffee has announced she will seek re-election in the May 3, 2022, primary, Williamson Herald reports. Guffee was first elected to the post in 2014 after serving in various judicial capacities in the county juvenile court system since 2004. Prior to that, she prosecuted crimes against children as an assistant district attorney general for the 21st Judicial District. She also worked on the county’s Child Protective Investigative Team and served as a founder and board member of the 21st Judicial District Drug Court (now known as Recovery Court). She currently serves on the governor’s Juvenile Justice Reform Implementation Council and the legislative committee for the Tennessee Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges.

The Knox County District Attorney’s office is being asked review whether a promise of a discount at a cannabis store to anyone who votes in the election is a violation of the state's bribery law, the Knoxville News Sentinel reports. Knoxville City Council candidate, Deidra Harper, through a social media post, promised a 15% discount at the My Canna Buds store for anyone who shows a voting sticker. Knox County Elections Administrator Chris Davis asked the State Election Commission for an opinion about whether it violates the law. The commission instead suggested he send it to the DA’s office to decide. “The post is encouraging people to vote, not necessarily to vote for me,” Harper said. “The turnout is really low in local elections and we know it’s important to vote.”