The Knoxville News Sentinel this afternoon released here the names of the eight individuals that have applied to the committee to be considered for the Knox County Criminal Court Judge vacancy. The committee will submit to Governor Haslam three names from the eight. The candidates are District Attorney prosecutors TaKisha Fitzgerald, Steve Sword, Leland Price and Del Holley. Knox County General Sessions Court Judge Andrew Jackson VI. Also attorneys Scott Green, Charles Burks and Randy Reagan.
In my observations the three strongest candidates are TaKisha Fitzgerald, Judge Andrew Jackson, VI and Randy Reagan. I do believe Scott Green’s experience would be beneficial to the position as well.
My concern with Governor Haslam selecting Judge Jackson is that his move to Criminal Court Judge would cause a vacancy in Jackson’s current General Sessions Judge. The appointment for that vacancy is the responsibility of Knox County Commission. According to sources in the City County Building, Knox County Republican Party Chairman Ray Jenkins and his confidants are expressing confidence that Jenkins would receive the appointment of Knox County General Sessions Judge by the County Commission.
