The Tennessee General Assembly voted to confirm Governor Bill Lee’s appointment of Shelby County circuit court judge Mary Wagner to the Supreme Court on Monday.
The Tennessee House of Representatives voted 94-4 to confirm Wagner while the Tennessee Senate voted unanimously, 32-0, to confirm her appointment to the state’s highest court during Monday’s joint session.
Wagner, who was present in the chamber with her husband, Tom, and their two children, received a standing ovation from state lawmakers after the votes were cast.
Congratulations to Judge (now Justice!) Mary Wagner on her confirmation to the Tennessee Supreme Court. It was an honor to nominate this strong conservative voice who will follow the law and be tough on violent crimes in Tennessee. pic.twitter.com/eNDE11XV5g
— Senator Brent Taylor (@SenBrentTaylor) March 12, 2024
Tennessee State Senator Brent Taylor (R-Memphis), who spoke highly of Wagner during the joint session before voting to confirm her appointment, congratulated Wagner’s confirmation to the Supreme Court in an X post, saying, “Congratulations to Judge (now Justice!) Mary Wagner on her confirmation to the Tennessee Supreme Court. It was an honor to nominate this strong conservative voice who will follow the law and be tough on violent crimes in Tennessee.”
The governor announced his appointment of Wagner to the Supreme Court on February 1, saying at the time, “Mary is a highly qualified judge who will bring significant experience to the Tennessee Supreme Court.”
“Her understanding and respect for the rule of law and commitment to the conservative principles of judicial restraint make her well-suited for the state’s highest court, and I am proud to appoint her to this position,” Lee added.
Wagner’s appointment will fill the Tennessee Supreme Court vacancy created by the upcoming retirement of Justice Roger A. Page, effective August 31.
Then-Governor Bill Haslam first appointed Wagner to the circuit court in 2016. She was re-elected to the position two years later in 2018 and again in 2022.
Wagner was also appointed by the Tennessee Supreme Court to be a special judge for the Tennessee Workers Compensation Appeals Panel.
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Kaitlin Housler is a reporter at The Tennessee Star and The Star News Network. Follow Kaitlin on X / Twitter.
Photo “Judge Mary Wagner” by Judge Mary Wagner.
