State Rep. Gloria Johnson, D-Knoxville, has confirmed that she plans to run for her current state House District 90 seat in addition to running for the Democratic nomination to challenge Republican U.S. Sen. Marsha Blackburn. The Tennessee Journal reports that Johnson says she is aware of attempts to block that ability. Legislation that would bar candidates for state and federal offices from appearing on primary or general election ballots for two or more offices is being promoted by two Knoxville Republicans: Senate State and Local Government Chair Richard Briggs and Rep. Dave Wright. The bill would allow for a few exceptions, including if the candidate already holds two offices and for purely political offices such as party state executive committees.

Tim Jester, a Nashville financial planner newly appointed to the Metro Arts Commission, is considering a bid for state House District 60, the Nashville Post reports. Jester recently named LaTanya Channel, former Metro director of economic growth and small business development, campaign treasurer in paperwork filed with state regulators. He filed to run as a Democrat for the seat that will be vacant after Rep. Darren Jernigan, D-Nashville, moves to a position in Nashville Mayor Freddie O'Connell's administration. Former Metro Councilmember Kevin Rhoten also had filed paperwork appointing a treasurer for the race, but he has since landed a job with Metro and removed himself from the race. Other potential candidates who have expressed interest in possibly running for the seat, according to the paper, include education policy expert Indira Dammu and gun control advocate Shaundelle Brooks.

Tennesseans have until Monday to register to vote if they want to cast a ballot in the March 5 presidential and county primary elections. The deadline for requesting an absentee ballot is Feb. 27. Tennessee Secretary of State Tre Hargett advised residents to download the state’s GoVoteTN app, where users can register to vote, view a sample ballot, determine polling locations, and see voter ID requirements and important election dates. Early voting will run from Feb. 14-27. Visit the department’s website for more election information, including all key dates.

Anderson County Chancellor James “Jamie” Brooks Jr. has announced he will run in the special March 5 Republican primary. Brooks was appointed to the Seventh Judicial District seat by Gov. Bill Lee on April 18, 2023, following the retirement of Chancellor Nichole Cantrell. The primary will determine the candidates who will run to fill the remainder of Cantrell’s term. Prior to joining the court, Brooks practiced law 37 years. He says he is committed to listening courteously, answering wisely, considering soberly and deciding cases impartially. Read more about his campaign at chancellorjamiebrooks.com.

The Knoxville Bar Association (KBA) has released the results of its candidate survey for the positions of Knox County law director and Knox County Criminal Court Division II judge. Both offices will be on the ballot on March 5 for the Knox County Primary Election. The KBA reports that all candidates, whether opposed or not, were evaluated. Members of the association were asked to evaluate whether the candidates have demonstrated the knowledge, skill, experience, training, education, professional ethics and temperament to fulfill the duties of the offices they seek and rate them as follows: strongly recommend, recommend, do not recommend, strongly do not recommend and do not know well enough to rate candidate. The KBA also has developed a “Get To Know Your Judicial Candidates” section on its website to provide information about the candidates.

Hamilton County Criminal Court Division II Judge Amanda Dunn has drawn no opposition in her bid to seek reelection, Chattanoogan.com reports. According to the news source, the Hamilton County Election Commission voted last week to finalize the ballot for the county’s primary elections. Dunn, who is running as a Republican, will not face a primary or general election opponent.

The ABA Task Force for American Democracy, a nonpartisan task force formed to bolster voter confidence in elections, recently announced its roadmap for the 2024 election season. The group says it will work to mobilize the legal profession to uphold its duty to support and defend the Constitution and the rule of law, educate lawyers regarding their professional obligations, and leverage the legal profession to educate the public on importance of democracy and the rule of law. The task force also announced a listening tour across the country. Stops are scheduled in Georgia, Michigan, Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, North Carolina and Arizona. Each session will feature local election officials and community leaders discussing ways to enhance public confidence in the election process. Read more about the Task Force's work.

Attorney Kisha Cheeks and General Sessions Court Judge Alex McVeagh, who are seeking to replace retired Circuit Court Judge Marie Williams, have qualified to run in their respective primaries, Chattanoogan.com reports. Cheeks qualified to run in the Democratic primary while McVeagh qualified to run in the Republican primary. Cheeks, principal attorney at the Cheeks Rucker Firm, says she will focus her campaign on ensuring courts continue to remain accessible and provide justice for all residents. McVeagh, who touts his qualifications as a business litigator and sitting judge, will face attorney Michele Coffman in the primary. Coffman qualified earlier this month. She says her campaign is driven by her Christian conservative values and over 24 years of experience as an attorney. The primary will be March 5 with early voting running from Feb. 14-27. The general election will be held in August.

The Chattanoogan reports that Chattanooga attorney Kisha Cheeks picked up papers to run in the Democratic primary, seeking to be the party's nominee to replace retiring Circuit Court Judge Marie Williams in Division III. Two are seeking the Republican nomination: General Sessions Court Judge Alex McVeagh and attorney Michele Coffman. The primary will be March 5 and the general election in August.

A story in Monday's issue of TBA Today incorrectly identified the office Larsen Jay is planning to seek. He will run for mayor of Knox County.