David Norton a good choice to succeed General Sessions Judge Bob Moon

The 7-1 vote by the Hamilton County Commission on Thursday to appoint David Norton to be an interim General Sessions Court judge -- and the high praise Norton got after the vote from another person who had sought the position -- suggests the commission chose wisely.

Norton, whose appointment was widely expected, succeeds the late Judge Bob Moon. He will serve until an Aug. 2 special election, in which he and several other candidates are expected to run to complete the remaining two years of the term.

Norton has been the Soddy-Daisy city judge for nearly three decades and has been an assistant county attorney. After the vote Thursday in favor of Norton's appointment, attorney Bryan Hoss -- who had also applied for the judgeship -- expressed admiration for Norton.

"Judge Norton is very qualified," Hoss said. "He will serve the public well. It's not like they picked an unqualified candidate at all."

Norton's appointment was all the more impressive because of the evident strength of the field of candidates. The candidate pool was "the best group we've ever had presented to this commission," Commissioner Fred Skillern said.

We trust Norton will serve well in the coming months. Then voters can decide in August if he is the best person to remain in the job long term.

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