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SALT LAKE CITY (AP) -- The state Senate has confirmed the nomination of Wasatch County Attorney Derek Pullan as a 4th District judge.
Gov. Mike Leavitt nominated Pullan and Randy Kester to fill two vacancies in the 4th District in July. Kester withdrew his name earlier this month after the Senate Judicial Confirmation Committee said it would need to conduct further inquiry into his nomination.
Pullan, 36, will be sworn in on Sept. 29 and go to work Sept. 3, in the municipal division of the court.
"Leavitt has placed in me a weighty and solemn public trust," Pullan said. "I pledge to undertake the duties of the judicial office with diligence and humility."
"I've always been impressed with (Pullan) and his legal acumen," said Sen. Dave Thomas, R-South Weber. "I've always respected him and his insights."
Pullan said that although he's grateful for his new position, he will need to make some sacrifices.
Pullan has been heavily involved in the Wasatch County Republican Party, as chairman from 2001 to 2003.
"One of the sacrifices is I'll have to extricate myself from all political ties," he said.
Also he won't be able to drive his daughter, Rachel, to her elementary school every day as he will be commuting from Heber City to Provo.
The Wasatch County Council will appoint someone as interim county attorney, likely one of Pullan's three deputies.
The 4th District had two vacancies created by the resignation of Ray Harding Jr. and the retirement of Guy Burningham. Leavitt will pick another nominee for the remaining vacancy.
(Copyright 2003 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
