The vice mayor shall act as mayor during any temporary absence, inability, or failure to act of the mayor, and whenever a vacancy occurs in the office of mayor, such member shall become mayor and hold office as such for the unexpired term.
Tenn. Code Ann. § 6-20-203, under Powers and Duties of Board.
Tenn. Code Ann. § 6-20-203
The vice mayor shall act as mayor during any temporary absence, inability, or failure to act of the mayor, and whenever a vacancy occurs in the office of mayor, such member shall become mayor and hold office as such for the unexpired term.