Tennessee Governor-Elect Bill Lee announced his appointment Wednesday of Court of Appeals Judge Brandon Gibson to serve as a Senior Advisor in the Office of the Governor, a cabinet-level position.
“Brandon is a principled conservative with deep rural roots in our state,” Lee said in a statement. “She is widely respected for her service on the Court of Appeals and I am honored that she will continue her commitment to public service in this administration.”
Lee has drawn sharp criticism from some for the lack of conservatives in positions of authority in his administration. The Tennessee Star has pointed out that perhaps the only other conservative so far, Courtney Rogers, has limited authority as Commissioner of Veterans Affairs.
Tennessee Star Political Editor Steve Gill recently told Fox 17 News that while Rogers was a good appointment, the “power positions” are the chief of staff (which went to an out-of-stater), the chief of operations (a Democrat) and the finance commissioner (a Democrat). There are also a lot of holdovers from Gov. Bill Haslam’s staff, none of whom support President Donald Trump or will hire conservatives, Gill said.
Lee’s newest appointment, Gibson, of Crockett County, serves as a judge on the Tennessee Court of Appeals, Western Section and is the only woman in this role, Lee’s press release said. Previously, she was a partner at Pentecost & Glenn law firm located in Jackson.
She earned a master’s degree in Agricultural Business Management from Mississippi State University and grew up on a soybean farm. She is an active member of the community who serves on the Crockett County Imagination Library Foundation Board of Directors and also serves as the National Director for Tennessee High School Rodeo.
Gibson will oversee long-term initiatives like criminal justice reform and prioritizing the needs of rural communities.
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Jason M. Reynolds has more than 20 years’ experience as a journalist at outlets of all sizes.
Photo “Brandon Gibson” by the University of Tennessee Martin.
Background Photo “Tennessee Chambers” by Ichabod. CC BY-SA 3.0.
Every time this website takes a snipe at the incoming administration without substantive fact to back it up, it diminishes its credibility in the mind of the discerning reader.
In this instance, what has been the judicial record of the appointee? How is that relevant to the positional responsibilities that she will be charged with? What qualities and background would be ideal for the position and how does she measure up in the pool of candidates?
Criminal justice reform and rural development are two central planks of the incoming administration and appointing an appellate court judge that grew up on a farm and is an active leader in rural programs like a rodeo and Imagination Library seems a good start. What is the objection and who would be better qualified – is that person even interested in public service? And if this candidate is, in fact, an excellent choice, why not applaud the choice? Failure to do so, again, diminishes credibility.
In his campaign promising a conservative, “Ten for Tenn” agenda, Bill Lee put his Christian Faith front and center. That means adhering to the Word of God re: what you say and promise:
If a man vow a vow unto the Lord, or swear an oath to bind his soul with a bond, he shall not break his word. He shall do according to all that proceedeth out of his mouth. –Numbers 30:2
And Jesus said, “Let your yes, be yes and your no, no.”
–Matthew 5:37
Governor-elect Lee, remember your promises and do what you said in obedience to your oft professed faith in Jesus Christ and the Word of God.