Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Judicial Confirmation topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Senate confirms Leonard H. Russell to Utah Supreme Court
Summary
The Utah Senate voted to confirm Leonard H. Russell to the state Supreme Court after a public hearing and committee recommendation; the final roll call was 28 ayes, no nays, 1 absent. Russell addressed the Senate and thanked members and family members in the gallery.
The Utah State Senate on the floor confirmed Leonard H. Russell to the Utah Supreme Court, voting 28–0 with one senator absent.
Senators who spoke during debate praised Russell’s confirmation hearing and said he demonstrated a commitment to the rule of law and to interpreting statutes with legislative intent rather than imposing personal outcomes. Hunter Baird, identifying himself as chairman of the judiciary confirmation committee, said the committee’s public hearing on the governor’s nomination produced a committee recommendation in favor of confirmation (committee vote reported in the hearing). Several senators, including Senator Stevenson and Senator Howe, publicly endorsed Russell’s appointment and reported that his answers during the committee hearing were forthright and well reasoned.
Following the roll call, the Senate resolved to inform the governor of the confirmation and invited the new justice to speak. Russell thanked senators for the vote and described his extensive interview with the governor, recalled his commitment to serve and noted family members in the gallery, including his wife, Adeline, and daughter, Jennifer.
Why it matters: The confirmation fills a seat on Utah’s highest court and follows a public committee review and discussion on judicial philosophy and fidelity to constitutional limits. The confirmation vote was unanimous among those present.
What’s next: The Senate said it would notify the governor of the confirmation; senators invited Russell to the committee hall for brief remarks and discussed his swearing-in timing during the floor session.
