NASHVILLE - Eight candidates submitted applications with the Tennessee Supreme Court by Friday's deadline to be considered for the next eight-year term as state attorney general.

Tennessee is the only state where the high court appoints the attorney general. The justices will make their choice after public hearings with finalists.

Incumbent Attorney General Bob Cooper, 57, whose term expires at the end of the month, is among those who have applied for the job. Others include Gov. Bill Haslam's top legal adviser, Herbert Slatery, 62; Republican state Sen. Doug Overbey of Maryville, 59; and courts administrator Bill Young, 57.

Also submitting applications by Friday's deadline were:

• Gino Bulso, 52, a partner with the Nashville firm Leader, Bulso & Nolan, which focuses on commercial litigation.

• Mark Fulks, 45, is an attorney with the Baker Donelson law firm's Johnson City office, who represents clients in financial, commercial and employment matters.

• Will Helou, 36, a Nashville lawyer in private practice who previously worked as an assistant attorney general in Cooper's office.

• Andrew Tillman, 62, a chancery court judge from Huntsville, who was appointed to bench by Haslam last year.

See complete story in Saturday's Times Free Press.