2016 Tennessee Judicial Election Information Center

As a public service, the Tennessee Bar Association program is working to help ensure that our upcoming judicial elections are conducted in a manner that will maintain confidence in our judiciary. This website provides information for candidates as well as for voters.

Tennessee Fair Judicial Campaign Code of Conduct

The Tennessee Fair Judicial Campaign Code of Conduct, which is designed to maintain the highest standards of discourse, was sent to all judges and judicial candidates. Those who sign the code pledge not to comment during the campaign on legal issues that might come before them as a judge, and if elected, to conduct themselves in a fair and impartial manner and recuse themselves from issues on which they already have announced how they would rule.

In the 2014 election cycle, where all judges and judicial officers were on the ballot, more than 116 judges subscribed to the code.  

2016 Judicial Candidates

See the list of candidates who have announced for upcoming judicial elections. Those who have signed the Code of Conduct are noted in red.

• Appellate Court Judges (Supreme Court, Court of Appeals, Court of Criminal Appeals)

• State Trial Court Candidates (Chancery, Circuit, Criminal)

• Candidates for Courts of Limited Jurisdiction (General Sessions, Juvenile)

These lists were compiled from multiple sources, so it they may be incomplete. If you see errors or omissions, please contact TBA staff member Karen Belcher.

Policy on Unjust Criticism of Judges

In November 1997, the TBA Board of Governors adopted a Policy on Unjust Criticism of Judges to identify the circumstances under which a response to unjust criticism will be made, the circumstances under which a response to unjust criticism will not be made and the appropriate means for making a response.