Madison County Commission appoints Mark Patey as new general sessions judge

JACKSON, Tenn. — The Madison County Commission held a meeting Monday which had quite a few items on the agenda. However, one was the appointment of a general sessions court judge.

Many people came forward to speak Monday morning ahead of the vote for the commission to fill the vacancy following Judge Hugh Harvey’s resignation. Some people wanted to table the vote to the next meeting, stating that the commission did not do their due diligence.

Commissioner Mike Taylor spoke with us about what was ultimately decided.

“There were discussions of putting it off or moving forward. We decided to move forward and we voted. Mr. Patey was nominated and elected as the judge,” said Taylor.

In the vote, 10 commissioners wanted to table the vote while 14 wanted to move forward. One abstained from voting. Following the meeting, we were able to speak with the newly appointed judge, Mark Patey.

“It is a great honor. After 37 years of practice in my home town and my home county, this is the highest honor of my career. I couldn’t be more grateful to the county commission. The process was comprehensive. It was fair. The other applicants were, likewise, very dignified in the process,” said Patey.

Patey received 16 votes, Chief Thom Corley got 7, Jennifer Free and Bill Milam both received 1 vote. Robert Pope was an applicant, but was not nominated by the commission prior to the vote. In just a few weeks, Patey will begin with his new role.

“It just feels great. I am ready to get to work on Monday, June the 2nd. To work hard for the citizens of Madison County. I’m going to give it my all. The vote of confidence that was given to me today to fill the vacancy and to start on June the 2nd is something I don’t take lightly,” said Patey.

Last week, there was a Republican caucus where each nominee spoke to 15 county commissioners about why they should be appointed. Mark Patey was chosen in that caucus meeting.

Commissioner Mark Aday stood and spoke at the commission meeting Monday morning and said, “I’ve been threatened that if I don’t vote with the caucus, they will run someone against me.”

Patey will serve for 10 months before the public will get to elect a judge for this seat. He told us he intends to run during this election.

For more news in the Jackson area, click here.