Tennessee: Members named for new judicial nominating panel

NASHVILLE — The speakers of the Tennessee House and Senate have appointed the 17 members of the state's new Judicial Nominating Commission.

The panel replacing the old Judicial Selection Commission is the result of a law passed in June that gives the speakers complete discretion about who serves on the panel that presents slates of finalists for the governor to choose from.

Twelve men and five women were appointed to the commission, including two black members and one Hispanic. The panel includes 10 attorneys in private practice, lawyers for FedEx Corp. and Eastman Chemical Corp. and the president of the Kingsport Chamber of Commerce.

House Speaker Kent Williams and Senate Speaker Ron Ramsey got to name eight members each. The two Republicans also selected one joint member.