TBA Law Blog

TBA Law Blog

Senate Judiciary Approves 2 Judicial Nominations, Hurt Withdraws

Posted by: Stacey Shrader Joslin on Feb 10, 2026

The state Senate Judiciary Committee confirmed two of Gov. Bill Lee's recent judicial nominations: Kyle Hixson of Knoxville to replace retiring Justice Holly Kirby on the Tennessee Supreme Court and Madison County Chancellor Steven Maroney to replace Judge Kenny Armstrong on the Tennessee Court of Appeals, according to a TBA representative who attended the meeting. The nominations still must be considered by the full Senate and House. The meeting also included a budget review for the Administrative Office of the Courts and the state Attorney General's Office. In related news, Lee’s choice for another open position on the Court of Appeals has withdrawn from consideration. The Tennessee Journal reports that Rachel Park Hurt, who would have replaced retiring Judge D. Michael Swiney, withdrew after Republican legislators raised questions about her past support of Democratic political candidates. Hurt, a partner with the Knoxville law firm of Arnett, Baker, Draper and Hagood and president of the Knoxville Bar Association, was nominated by Lee on Jan. 22. The committee did not consider her nomination.

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