A few questions I was pondering...

- Since the Tennessee Supreme Court didn't mandate a timetable for appointing replacements, could County Commission drag their feet right up until the Aug. 2008 elections, leaving all term-limited officials in office until then?

- If someone is appointed and then stands for election and wins, does their appointed term count against the two-term limit?

- Should replacement candidates take a pledge to not seek election in order to reset the playing field and eliminate the incumbency advantage?

- What about Indya's suggestion in comments below that now would be a good time for Knox County to go on a staggered election cycle for County Commission, thus providing better continuity under term limits?

- How long before someone petitions for a referendum to abolish term limits, or at least restrict them to County Mayor and County Commission?

UPDATE: Michael Silence weighs with his thoughts [1], including his answers to these questions.