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Utah Senate confirms two district court judges, swears in new senator and adjourns
Summary
In an extraordinary session on Jan. 5, 2010, the Utah Senate confirmed Keith A. Kelly and Thomas L. Lowe to district court judgeships by unanimous 28–0 votes, accepted brief remarks from each judge in a Committee of the Whole, swore in Benjamin M. McAdams as senator for District 2 and adjourned sine die.
Jan. 5, 2010 — The Utah State Senate convened an extraordinary session and confirmed two judicial appointees, then heard brief remarks from each new judge and swore in a newly appointed senator before adjourning.
The session, called to consider the governor’s appointments to the bench, approved the confirmations of Keith A. Kelly to the Third District Court and Thomas L. Lowe to the Fourth District Court. Both confirmations were taken by roll call and recorded as 28–0 with one member absent.
The confirmations followed formal transmission letters from Gov. Gary R. Herbert and favorable reports from the Senate Judicial Confirmation Committee. "We had as a judicial confirmation committee ... we felt very comfortable in forwarding to you the report and the recommendation that he be confirmed," said Senator Scott K. Jenkins, chair of the confirmation committee, introducing the committee’s recommendation for Kelly.
After the Senate resolved into the Committee of the Whole to receive remarks, Judge Keith A. Kelly thanked the nominating committee, the governor and the Judicial Confirmation Committee and pledged impartiality on the bench. "I believe the law is like the glue that holds together civil society," Kelly said, adding that he would "apply the law fairly in their circumstances."
The Senate then moved to consider Thomas L. Lowe. The Judicial Confirmation Committee again reported favorably and the Senate approved Lowe’s appointment by the same recorded margin. In the Committee of the Whole, Lowe introduced his family and said he accepted the appointment mindful of the responsibilities of the office, noting that the governor emphasized "the importance of humility and of applying the law as it’s written."
The session also included the swearing-in of Benjamin M. McAdams, appointed to fill the vacancy in Senate District 2. McAdams introduced family members and thanked colleagues, saying he looked forward to working with the Senate.
Votes at a glance: Keith A. Kelly, confirmed as Third District Court judge — 28 yes, 0 no, 1 absent; Thomas L. Lowe, confirmed as Fourth District Court judge — 28 yes, 0 no, 1 absent.
The Senate convened, completed the confirmations and adjourned sine die by voice vote later in the session.
