Utah Senate Blocks Governor's Judicial Nomination

The Republican-led Utah Senate has chosen not to host a hearing for one of outgoing Gov. Gary Herbert’s judicial nominations. Margaret Plane was nominated to the state Court of Appeals in November after serving as special counsel for Park City since 2019. Five of Herbert’s other judicial nominations were given a hearing. Herbert’s office says in a statement that Plane is “exceptionally qualified” and has questioned why the Senate would not give her a hearing. Plane declined to comment. Republican state Sen. Todd Weiler, chairman of the Senate Judicial Confirmation Committee, says Plane was not included on the schedule because it was clear she would not get enough votes.