Senate approves governor’s slate of appointments, holds one nomination for separate review

The Utah State Senate approved a package of gubernatorial appointments on a roll call vote Thursday while setting aside one nomination for separate review.

Senator Marine moved to approve the governor’s list of appointments with the exception of the nomination of Mr. Barnes to the CUP board so senators could meet with that candidate, and the motion was adopted after debate. The clerk announced, “Vote shows 21 ayes, 7 nays, 1 being absent,” and senators directed that confirmed appointees be notified and that the list be entered into the journal.

The debate centered in part on political balance and local representation. Senator Black urged caution about approving Justin Anderson to the Board of Business and Economic Development, saying approving Anderson now could produce “1 too many Republicans” on that board and asking for clarification from the lieutenant governor’s office. In response, the mover noted the governor’s office had withdrawn or reclassified some prior entries (including an earlier listing for Earl Topham) and said broader rebalancing could be addressed in the full set of appointments later in the session.

Several nominees were introduced on the floor before the vote. A senator introduced Heather Nelson Cook as an appointee to the Board of Pardons and also noted she had been appointed to the Fifth Circuit Court; Peter Hahn, chair of the Board for Pardons, was present. Following confirmation the chamber heard personal-privilege remarks praising Jim Shumate, who was confirmed to a circuit court seat in Saint George.

Next steps: the clerk will notify the governor and make the confirmations a matter of record in the Senate journal. The nomination of Mr. Barnes to the CUP board will be held for separate consideration so senators may meet with that nominee.

(Reporting note: quotes and vote totals were read on the Senate floor.)