Utah Senate confirms Jill Pullman to Supreme Court and approves dozens of governor appointments

The Utah Senate on Wednesday consented to Governor Spencer J. Cox's appointment of Jill Pullman to the Utah Supreme Court and approved a broad package of gubernatorial appointments to state boards and commissions.

Senator Janie Iwamoto, reporting the Senate Judicial Confirmation Committee's unanimous recommendation, moved that the full Senate confirm Judge Jill Pullman. After an initial roll call announced as 24-0 with six absent, the presiding officer recalled the vote to correct counting and ultimately announced a 25-0 tally with four senators absent, confirming Pullman to the high court.

Pullman, who has served on the Utah Court of Appeals since her 2016 appointment, told senators she was "honored and truly humbled by this historic appointment to the Utah Supreme Court." She reviewed her legal background, including service on the Court of Appeals, prior partnership in appellate litigation practice, a federal clerkship and her law degree from the University of Utah, and thanked family, colleagues and those involved in the selection process. "I value and respect the role the Senate plays in this process, and I appreciate your vote of confidence today," she said.

The Senate also approved Rick Westmoreland as a judge of the Second District Juvenile Court after the Judicial Confirmation Committee reported unanimous support. Westmoreland's confirmation was announced as 25-0 with four absent; he later addressed the Senate in the Committee of the Whole, saying he looks forward to "working with those families of those children."

Beyond the judicial confirmations, the Secretary read a long list of appointments and reappointments to boards including the Utah Board of Higher Education, the Utah Tax Commission, the Real Estate Commission, the Drinking Water Board, the Great Salt Lake Advisory Council, the Judicial Conduct Commission, Utah State Retirement Board and numerous others. Committee chairs reported unanimous or favorable committee recommendations for many nominees, and the Senate gave omnibus consent to the governor's slate by roll call, announced as 24-0 with five absent.

Votes at a glance

- Jill Pullman — Motion to confirm moved by Senator Janie Iwamoto; final announced tally 25 aye, 0 nay, 4 absent; outcome: confirmed.
- Rick Westmoreland — Motion to confirm moved by Senator Janie Iwamoto; announced tally 25 aye, 0 nay, 4 absent; outcome: confirmed.
- Omnibus governor appointments (multiple boards/commissions listed publicly) — Roll call announced 24 aye, 0 nay, 5 absent; outcome: consented.

Why it matters: Seats on the state Supreme Court and on district juvenile courts shape judicial decisions statewide and affect case assignments; board and commission appointments affect regulatory and advisory functions across state government. The confirmations complete the governor's slate of appointees submitted since the 2022 general session.

The Senate concluded the extraordinary session after personal recognitions and other ceremonial matters.