Senate confirms a judge and a regent

The Senate on Thursday confirmed Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr.'s nomination of Weber County Attorney Mark DeCaria to a judgeship on the state's 2nd District Court.

Prior to his confirmation, Sen. Jon Greiner, R-Ogden, called DeCaria "one of the most prepared people I've seen this body ratify as a judge."

After the vote to confirm, DeCaria thanked Huntsman for considering him and introduced members of his family who were present.

"As I take this new honor I do so with due regard to the gravity of the seat that I will occupy," DeCaria said. "I will do my best to honor the wishes of citizens of the state of Utah."

DeCaria's confirmation had been in some doubt because of what some conservative senators viewed as a tendency toward judicial activism.

The Senate also confirmed Huntsman's nomination of Brent Brown to the Board of Regents, which oversees the state's system of higher education.

Brown, who owns a car dealership in Utah County and is best-known as the guy who will "bend over backwards" to get your business, has long been involved in the promotion and funding of education in the state.

"Education is the key to all of our futures," Brown said after his confirmation.

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