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Senate rejects Dan Campbell’s Board of Regents nomination amid rural-representation concerns
Summary
The Utah Senate rejected Dan Campbell’s nomination to the State Board of Regents in a roll-call vote of 10–16 with three absent after senators raised concerns about geographic (rural) representation and whether the governor considered that factor.
The Utah State Senate voted down Dan Campbell’s nomination to the State Board of Regents on May 19, 2010, by a roll-call tally of 10 yeas, 16 nays and 3 absent.
Senator Hilliard asked that Campbell’s confirmation be voted on separately from a larger slate, saying he understood Campbell lived in Utah County and that the legislature had recently passed measures aimed at increasing rural representation. “I was a little surprised to see that the governor would appoint someone from not a rural area after that law had passed,” Hilliard said, and requested the slate be divided so the Campbell vote would be considered alone.
Several senators explained their no votes on geographic grounds. Senator Griner said she would vote no in the spirit of the law passed by the legislature; Senator Romero said she would vote no to allow time to seek clarification from the Governor’s office about whether geographic balance had been considered. Senator Stowell said on the floor that the present law requires the governor to consider geographic representation and explained his reasoning for a no vote.
Senator Valentine sought a ruling on whether the Governor’s nomination process would have to begin anew after a failure to confirm. The presiding officer indicated the process would likely begin again.
The failed confirmation removes Campbell from immediate consideration; the Senate proceeded to vote on the rest of the slate separately and confirmed other nominees.
