Bryson Makes Nashville Stop in State Tour

Republican gubernatorial candidate Jim Bryson says Tennessee voters should elect the state’s Supreme Court.

In Tennessee, Supreme Court and Appellate Court Justices are selected by the Governor, who’s given a panel to choose from by the Judicial Selection Commission. Voters, however, only weigh-in on retaining those justices.

Earlier this summer Governor Bredesen rejected three nominees for the Supreme Court when the only minority on the panel dropped out. Bredesen cited a need for diversity on the court. Last week the selection commission told Bredesen he would have to consider the two remaining nominees.

Bryson says the recent head-butting shows the process doesn’t work and allows the Governor too much authority.

“There’s a lot of politics in the process right now. The constitution says we’re suppose to elect our supreme court, and I think what we need to do is go back to what the constitution says. I think it’d be great to have a diverse court and we should have a diverse court. I think that’s a wonderful thing, the paramount issue ought to be, who are the best people to be on the Supreme Court.”

Bryson made the comments on the Nashville stop of his 95 county tour of the state.

Bryson is leaving his seat as Franklin state senator to be on the November ballot. He’s stumping on the need for state laws regulating illegal immigration, health care reform and lowering the sales tax on food.