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Government Affairs Update

Follow the TBA's efforts to influence federal and state policy as it fulfills one of the core missions of the association – advocacy for the profession and for our system of justice.

Rogers Wants Apology for Maggart Campaign Tactic

By Suzanne Craig R... on Mon, 07/30/2012 - 1:14pm

In the race for State House District 45, Rep. Debra Maggart included opponent Lt. Col. Courtney Rogers' unlisted home number in campaign materials -- and that has Rogers calling for an apology after receiving a call claiming the devil is going to get her and her family. Maggart defends publicizing the number, saying it was used on campaign documents that were filed with the state and therefore public record. Maggart sent out an email titled, "Why is Courtney Rogers lying to you," defending her stance on gun rights and ending with a phone number for Rogers. WSMV has the story

Hargett Calls for Investigation in Shelby Election

By Suzanne Craig R... on Mon, 07/30/2012 - 12:55pm

Tennessee Secretary of State Tre Hargett formally asked State Comptroller Justin Wilson on Friday to audit the administration of the Shelby County Election Commission and investigate election procedures and returns, where it is estimated that about 1,000 voters got the wrong ballot. State Senate Republican Leader Mark Norris of Collierville and Tennessee Democratic Party chairman Chip Forrester of Nashville called separately Thursday for a state review of election results in the county, the Memphis Daily Journal reports. “This is not a witch hunt. This is not finger pointing,” Norris said. “We need to know the process works.” Forrester called for the review because he said Republican political leaders “have failed over and over again to protect our voting rights.”

Record Early Voting Turnout; Problems Surface in Shelby

By Suzanne Craig R... on Fri, 07/27/2012 - 3:23pm

More than 220,000 Tennesseans have voted early or absentee by mail for the Aug. 2 election, but the Tennessee Democratic Party called for an investigation into early voting statewide amid evidence that more than 1,000 people in Shelby County were given the wrong ballots. A Memphis blogger and candidate for the Shelby County Election Commission turned up evidence this week that hundreds of voters in Shelby County were erroneously given ballots for a neighboring district.

TBI Investigates Rhea County Voting Issues

By Stacey Shrader ... on Thu, 07/26/2012 - 4:25pm

The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation confirmed Wednesday it has launched a probe into whether Rhea County election officials illegally stopped several individuals from voting in the 31st House District Republican primary. The county election administrator said she and other officials did nothing wrong when they blocked known Democrats from voting in the primary, suspecting an orchestrated campaign for crossover voting in the race. The TBI investigation comes at the request of District Attorney General Mike Taylor. According to the Knoxville News Sentinel, Tennessee law provides an "open primary" system but allows officials to exclude a voter if the person is “deemed not to be a ‘bona fide’ member of the party.”

Candidate Won't Be Punished for Contempt if She Cooperates

By Suzanne Craig R... on Tue, 07/24/2012 - 5:10pm

Lou Ann Zelenik may not have to face a contempt of court citation if she testifies in a state senator's lawsuit before Aug. 8. The ruling came down Monday from Wilson County Judge C.K. Smith who said in the order he's "not inclined to punish" the Republican Congressional candidate if she were to give her deposition by the August date. Zelenik was accused last week of criminal contempt for not appearing for a July 12 court deposition. She was subpoenaed in an ongoing lawsuit brought by State Senator Mae Beavers and her husband Jerry against a Macon County newspaper. WKRN reports

Zelenik Faces Contempt Charge

By Stacey Shrader ... on Fri, 07/20/2012 - 3:58pm

Republican congressional candidate Lou Ann Zelenik -– who is seeking to unseat U.S. Rep. Diane Black -– is facing a contempt charge after not showing up for a deposition. Earlier this month, Zelenik was subpoenaed to give a deposition in a case involving State Rep. Mae Beavers and the Macon County Chronicle. The lawyer who issued the subpoena says Zelenik cancelled at the last minute, saying she was too busy campaigning. Zelenik’s lawyer, however, says the postponement was agreed upon. A hearing on the charges was set for September. WSMV reports

Interim Judge Ends Tenure Early

By Stacey Shrader ... on Fri, 07/20/2012 - 3:53pm

Davidson County General Sessions Judge Mike Jameson has stepped down from the bench, taking an unpaid leave of absence through the Aug. 2 election to assist his former law partner Phillip North in his bid for the state Senate. Jameson lost to Rachel Bell in March primary, and although he pledged to serve through August, he now says his allegiance is with his former colleague. Read more in The Tennessean

Additional Lawyer Candidates Identified

By Stacey Shrader ... on Fri, 07/20/2012 - 2:43pm

Following publication of a story in yesterday’s issue of TBA Today, two additional lawyers running for public office have been identified. They are state Sen. Tim Barnes of Adams, who is seeking reelection in the 22nd District, and Bristol lawyer Thomas M. Gray III, who is seeking the District 4 House seat currently occupied by Rep. Kent Williams. That brings to 24 the number of lawyers running for legislative office this year. See the full list

TBA Report: More Lawyers Running for Legislature

By Allan Ramsaur on Thu, 07/19/2012 - 3:10pm

A report compiled by the Tennessee Bar Association shows that while the number of lawyers serving in the legislature has declined over the last several years, more lawyers are candidates for the General Assembly this year than in the last two election cycles. The report shows that 25 lawyers are running for 20 seats. In two districts, lawyers are pitted against each other in the primary or will likely face off in the general election. It remains to be seen whether, with the retirement of several lawyer lawmakers, the actual number of lawyers in the General Assembly will increase. See a full list of candidates with links to learn more about their campaigns.

More Lawyers Running for Legislature

By Allan Ramsaur on Thu, 07/19/2012 - 11:45am

The report shows that 25 lawyers are running for 20 seats. In two districts, lawyers are pitted against each other in the primary or will likely face off in the general election. It remains to be seen whether, with the retirement of several lawyer lawmakers, the actual number of lawyers in the General Assembly will increase. See the breakdown below:

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