Three lawyers are vying to be the next Georgia Tax Tribunal judge.

Gov. Nathan Deal's Judicial Nominating Commission announced Friday it had recommended Deal pick from these three candidates: Raymond Carpenter, a solo practitioner in Roswell who specializes in tax litigation and planning; Frank O'Connell, director of the state Department of Revenue Office of Tax Policy; and retired Alston & Bird partner Timothy Peaden, who had a state and local tax practice.

The Tax Tribunal vacancy arose in December, when Charles Beaudrot announced he would resign to return to his private tax practice at Morris Manning & Martin. Deal selected Beaudrot to preside over the newly created tribunal in January 2013, and he has been the sole judge since then.