Sevier County Commission appoints Keith Cole to General Sessions bench after contested nomination

The Sevier County Commission voted June 24 to appoint Keith Cole to fill the Division I General Sessions judge vacancy left by the resignation of Judge Jeff Rader. The appointment, made by motion and second, was approved by voice vote: 19 in favor, one opposed (Commissioner Kent Woods), with five commissioners absent.

The vacancy arose when Rader was appointed a special judge in the Fourth Judicial District earlier in the month, prompting the county to name an interim replacement until a certified special election in 2026. The commission’s Steering Committee had recommended Keith Cole; Commissioners moved to nominate Cole after an alternate nomination for Shannon Holt failed to receive a second.

During the meeting, Commissioner Kent Woods formally nominated Shannon Holt; the nomination was not seconded and therefore did not proceed to a vote. Audience member Andrew Holt had earlier recommended Shannon Holt, describing her legal and court-office experience. Commissioner Woods outlined Holt’s local ties and years of court-related work when making the nomination. After the nomination for Holt failed to move forward, Commissioner B. Delius moved to nominate Keith Cole, and R. Allen seconded the motion.

Keith Cole addressed the commission after the vote and thanked members for the appointment, saying he would rely on family, faith and community support as he takes on the role.

The appointment is interim pending certification of a special election in 2026. The commission did not set a swearing-in date during the session.

The nomination and vote are recorded in the meeting minutes; the commission handled the selection under the procedure described in state law for filling judicial vacancies.