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Utah Senate unanimously confirms Dino (Constantino G.) Jimenez to the state Supreme Court
Summary
The Utah Senate consented 27–0 (2 absent) to the governor’s appointment of Dino/Constantino G. Jimenez to the Utah Supreme Court. Jimenez thanked supporters and pledged a textual and originalist approach to law during brief remarks on the chamber floor.
The Utah Senate on Feb. 10 consented to Governor Gary R. Herbert’s nomination of Dino (recorded in the proceedings as Constantino G.) Jimenez to the Utah Supreme Court, voting 27–0 with two senators absent.
The Senate took a roll call following a favorable recommendation from the Senate Judiciary Confirmation Committee. President Niederhauser announced, “With 27 yay votes, 0 nay votes, 2 being absent, the senate has consented to the governor’s appointment of Judge Jimenez.”
Committee chair Scott K. Jenkins told the chamber the confirmation process had been “fair” and “thorough,” and moved that the body concur with the governor’s appointment. Several senators offered remarks in support before the roll call.
After the vote, the newly confirmed justice addressed the Senate in the Committee of the Whole. He thanked family, friends and mentors in the gallery and said he would apply a restrained judicial style. “I am deeply, deeply committed to a textual approach to the legislation that comes out of this body in the house, and to an originalist approach to both the constitution of this state and the constitution of the United States,” Jimenez said in his brief remarks.
Senator DeBackus noted a historic element of the confirmation, saying the nominee “is the first Greek American to serve on the Utah Supreme Court,” and asked the chamber to welcome the appointee’s family.
The confirmation fills the vacancy described in the governor’s letter transmitting the nomination and comes after the Judiciary Confirmation Committee met and reported a favorable recommendation earlier the same day. The Senate recessed after handling the day’s business and scheduled further committee meetings and a midday recess.
What happens next: The confirmed justice will assume the duties of a justice of the Utah Supreme Court according to state practice; the Senate record shows the confirmation vote and the nominee’s remarks, and no additional Senate action on the nomination was noted during this session.
