Hamilton County Republican Party Chairman Joe DeGaetano has announced he will step down from his post so he can seek appointment as Hamilton County Circuit Court Judge.
Judge Neil Thomas, who has served on the Circuit Court bench for 20 years, said in May he would resign on Oct. 5.
"After deep reflection with my family, and at the urging of many fellow Republicans, I have decided to apply for the Governor's appointment to serve as Circuit Court Judge, and to run for election in the May 2018 Republican Primary," DeGaetano said. "Regrettably, because Rule 4.1 of the Tennessee Code of Judicial Conduct prohibits a judicial candidate (whether for election or appointment) from holding an office in a political organization, I am required to step down as Chairman of the Hamilton County Republican Party in order to seek the appointment to serve as Circuit Court Judge."
He said we would submit his application this week in response to the Tennessee Trial Court Vacancy Commission plans to interview applicants on Aug. 30. The body will submit three nominees to Gov. Bill Haslam for a decision. The appointee will serve as Circuit Court Judge until Aug. 31, 2018.
Whoever wins the August 2018 general election for the seat will serve the remainder of Thomas' term, which expires in 2022.
Thomas has called his service "an extraordinary honor" he wold cherish forever.
"Leaving the bench will permit me to invest so much more time in my heart's desire - our great community and my family," Thomas said.
According to Hamilton County Republican Party by-laws, the vice chairman "shall automatically assume the office of Chairman . . . , on a temporary basis," DeGaetano said. The party's executive committee will meet and vote on a new chairman within 30 days of the vacancy.
Vice Chairwoman Marsha Yessick said she was willing to serve as the party chair until the scheduled biannual reorganization in 2019, DeGaetano said, adding he was confident she would serve well as party leader.
This is not the first time DeGaetano has sought election as a judge. In 2012, he was a General Sessions Judge candidate.
The Hamilton County Republican Party elected DeGaetano to serve as its chairman in February.