Adams sworn in as a state senator

Stuart Adams was sworn in as a state senator Wednesday to replace now-Lt. Gov. Greg Bell.

Bell and Gov. Gary Herbert were in the Senate chambers when Adams, R-Layton, took his seat as the District 22 representative.

Earlier Wednesday, Adams and his family met privately with the governor to watch him sign the letter formally appointing the state's newest senator.

"I am confident that as a state senator, you will serve our state and the citizens in your district with discernment and decorum," Herbert said in his letter.

Adams told reporters he hoped to bring expertise on growing the economy to his new office. A real estate developer, he has served in the House and just resigned as Utah Transportation Commission chairman but will continue as head of a group developing property adjacent to Hill Air Force Base.

Herbert, who took over as governor last month when former Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr. resigned to become U.S. ambassador to China, had put Adams on his short list for lieutenant governor. Adams was nominated for the Senate spot by Davis County Republican delegates last Saturday.

The governor's pick for his No. 2, Bell, had served as Senate assistant majority whip. Senate Republicans chose Sen. Wayne Niederhauser, R-Sandy, to replace him on the leadership team during their closed caucus Wednesday afternoon.

Niederhauser, who beat Sen. Allen Christensen, R-North Ogden, and Sen. Kevin Van Tassell, R-Vernal, for the position, said his background as a certified public accountant will be helpful in dealing with the state's ongoing budget shortfalls.

Adams received a standing ovation from his new Senate colleagues and voted along with them on a number of appointments from the governor.

Among the appointees confirmed by the Senate Wednesday was Amanda Smith as executive director of the Department of Environmental Quality. Huntsman appointed her in May, but senators only recently held her confirmation hearing.

Senate Majority Leader Sheldon Killpack, R-Syracuse, said Smith "handled herself very well" during the time of transition that made the confirmation process longer.

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