Utah Senate advances two governor-picked nominees to expanded Supreme Court amid legislative tensions

A Utah Senate panel has unanimously recommended two candidates, district judge Matthew Bell and civil litigator Michael Menssen, to join the newly expanded Utah Supreme Court. Their appointments would replace former Chief Justice Matthew Durrant, who retired after 26 years, and former Justice Diana Hagen, who resigned amid misconduct allegations. During confirmation hearings, the Judicial Confirmation Committee asked the nominees about their originalist and textualist philosophies, their perspective on the court’s relationship with the Republican-controlled Legislature, and what checks exist on judicial authority.

Both emphasized that judges enforce the constitution and should not make policy, underscoring judicial independence. Lawmakers also probed any prior discussions with Governor Spencer Cox and other officials, which the nominees denied. The full Utah Senate will vote on the nominations later this week.