Bredesen weighing options on Supreme Court vacancy

In a letter to Bredesen last week, Circuit Court Judge John A. Turnbull said he was withdrawing because he wants to keep his current position.

The judge had recently acknowledged he was admonished by the Court of the Judiciary — which deals with ethics complaints against judges — for inappropriate behavior with a female court clerk, but said the admonishment didn’t affect his decision.

Turnbull was one of three people nominated to become a Supreme Court justice by the Tennessee Judicial Selection Commission. The new justice will serve out the unexpired term of Chief Justice Frank Drowota of Nashville, who is retiring Sept. 1.

The other two nominees for the state’s highest court are state Court of Appeals Judge Bill Koch and state Supreme Court administrative director and former circuit court judge Connie Clark.

Bredesen had said he would consult with legal offices to determine how to proceed in the selection process.

“I have the option of appointing from the two that I have, or returning the entire list to the commission and asking for a fresh list,” said Bredesen, adding that he can’t ask for a single name. “I have not decided what I will do.”

The governor said he’s met with the two candidates, and may meet with them again if necessary.