NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Gov. Bill Haslam says he plans to make his nomination to fill a vacancy on the state Supreme Court by the end of the year.
The Governor's Council for Judicial Appointments last week narrowed the field of applicants to three finalists for the Republican governor to choose from. They are appeals judges Thomas "Skip" Frierson II of Morristown, Robert Montgomery Jr. of Kingsport and Roger Page of Medina.
Haslam, who appointed each of the finalists to their current positions, said background checks and interviews will last most of this month.
Under a constitutional amendment approved last year, the Republican governor's appointment would be considered if lawmakers can't come up with a mechanism for rejecting judicial nominees within 60 days of the Jan. 12 start of next year's session.