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Senate Confirms Michelle M. Christiansen as Third District Judge
Summary
The Utah Senate, meeting in an extraordinary session called by Gov. John M. Huntsman Jr., confirmed Michelle M. Christiansen to the Third District Court after a committee review that "found no dark spots," voting to consent to the appointment.
The Utah Senate confirmed Michelle M. Christiansen as a judge in the Third District during its first extraordinary session convened April 9, 2007, to consider gubernatorial appointments.
Senator Hilliard moved to approve the governor’s nomination, and Chris Butters, chair of the judicial confirmation committee, told the chamber the committee had reviewed confidential background materials and "found no dark spots," recommending Christiansen as "the cream of the cream of the crop." The motion was put to a roll-call vote and the chair announced the motion passed; the clerk later reported the confirmation with the chair stating 25 yes votes and 4 absent.
Christiansen addressed the Senate after the vote, thanking members and naming family members in the gallery, including her mother Gail Johnson and her grandfather Clifford Gartman. "I promise to be the best judge that I can be," she said.
The confirmation occurred under a proclamation from Gov. John M. Huntsman Jr., read by the clerk, that called the Senate into extraordinary session pursuant to constitutional authority to consider appointments made since the end of the general session. The Senate resolved into a Committee of the Whole to hear from Christiansen before dissolving and returning to the floor for the confirmation vote.
No further debate or amendments to the nomination were recorded. The Senate then moved on to consider additional nominations transmitted by the governor.
