Unfortunately, the people of this state have
little or no influence on the selection of some of the most important
positions in state government.
Our Attorney General is appointed by the Supreme
Court. Our Comptroller, Treasurer
and Secretary of State are appointed by the legislature.
Judges on our Appeals Court and
Justices of the Supreme Court are appointed and retained, a process at
odds with our constitution.
The men and women who hold these positions make
decisions and policies that have a profound impact on the lives of
everyday Tennesseans. We will
give the citizens of Tennessee more influence on the selection of
candidates for these crucial offices.
House Republicans
support giving the people the right to elect their own Attorney
General, Comptroller, Treasurer and Secretary of State.
At the very least, we would like to see these positions moved into
the Governor’s cabinet where he, or in the future, she, could appoint
them.
Article 6 sections 3 and 4 of our state
constitution require that Justices of the Supreme Court and Judges of
other courts should be elected "by the qualified voters" of their
jurisdiction. We submit that
selection and retention is not the same as election.
House Republicans will
push to make these offices elected offices in accordance with our
Constitution. The Constitution
grants this power to the people and we will protect that power.
