Government
Tennessee's State Capitol is in Nashville, the capital since 1826.Tennessee is governed under its third constitution, adopted in 1870.
The executive branch of government is headed by the governor, who is elected for a term of four years. The office of lieutenant governor is filled by the speaker of the state senate. The secretary of state and the treasurer are appointed by the legislature; the attorney general, by the state supreme court. The legislature, called the General Assembly, consists of a senate of 33 members, elected to four-year terms, and a 99-member house of representatives, elected for two years. It is required by law to hold sessions in odd-numbered years, but it may also meet in even-numbered years.
The judiciary is headed by a supreme court of five justices, elected for terms of eight years. Lower courts include a court of appeals, a court of criminal appeals, chancery courts, and circuit courts.
Tennessee has 95 counties. The state is represented in Congress by two senators and nine representatives.
