Tennessee Code Title 17. Judges and Chancellors § 17-4-101

(1) For a full eight-year term whenever an incumbent judge of the supreme court, the court of appeals, or the court of criminal appeals fails to file with the state election commission a written declaration of candidacy or withdraws a declaration of candidacy within the deadlines established by § 17-4-106 or is not retained in a retention election held at the end of an eight-year term; or

(2) To fill a vacancy occurring as a result of death, resignation, retirement, failure to be retained at a retention election held any time other than the end of an eight-year term, or otherwise.