CHATTANOOGA — Two of the three finalists to fill a vacancy on the Tennessee Court of Appeals, Eastern Section, have a Hawkins County connection. Among them are District 8 State Sen. Mike Faulk, who chose not to seek re-election this year.
Faulk is a Hawkins County native who also previously served on the Hawkins County Commission and has a law office in Church Hill.
The second finalist is Third Judicial District Chancellor Thomas Frierson of Morristown. Frierson serves Hawkins, Hamblen, Greene and Hancock counties.
The third finalist for the seat is 10th Judicial District Chancellor Jerri S. Bryant of Athens.
The Judicial Nominating Commission met in Chattanooga on Friday to review the 11 applicants for the vacancy.
The vacancy was created by the retirement of Court of Appeals Judge Herschel P. Franks as of Dec. 31.
After holding a public hearing and interview for each applicant, the Judicial Nominating Commission recommended Faulk, Frierson and Bryant to Gov. Bill Haslam, who will make the final selection.