Tennessee Code Title 17. Judges and Chancellors § 17-1-301

(a) If a vacancy occurs during the term of office of a judge of the supreme court, the court of appeals, or the court of criminal appeals, then the governor shall appoint a qualified person to fill the vacancy. The governor's appointee shall be confirmed and shall stand for election in a retention election in accordance with chapter 4, part 1 of this title.

(b) If a vacancy occurs in the office of a chancellor, circuit court judge, criminal court judge, or judge of any other state trial court of record, the vacancy shall be filled in accordance with chapter 4, part 3 of this title.