Utah’s Minority Caucus Leaders Appoint their Redistricting Commission Membership
SALT LAKE CITY – Today, Utah House Minority Leader, Representative Brian King, and Utah Senate Minority Leader, Senator Karen Mayne, confirmed their individual appointments for the Utah Independent Redistricting Commission and also selected their jointly-appointed member for the Commission.
Representative Brian King selected Pat Jones, former Senate Minority Leader and co-founder and former President of Dan Jones & Associates. She currently serves as CEO of the Women’s Leadership Institute, which was founded in 2015 with the mission to elevate the stature of women. “Pat Jones’ political leadership and dedication to service for the betterment of Utahns is the level of expertise and understanding that is warranted by the Commission,” stated Representative King.
Senator Karen Mayne selected the Honorable Christine Durham, who served as a justice of the Utah Supreme Court from 1982 to 2017 and served as Chief Justice from 2002 to 2012. Some of her honors include the National Association of Women Judges’ Honoree of the Year, the William H. Rehnquist Award for Judicial Excellence, and the “Transparent Courthouse” Award for her devotion to judicial accountability. “Justice Durham’s extensive judicial career and commitment to fairness and impartiality will provide an essential voice on the Independent Redistricting Commission,” stated Senator Mayne.
The jointly appointed member, selected by the two Minority Caucus leaders, is Judge William A. Thorne, Jr. Judge Thorne served as a judge on the State of Utah Court of Appeals and in the Third District Court. He also served as a tribal court judge in 10 states and is the former president of the National Indian Justice Center, a non-profit that trains tribal court personnel around the country. Judge Thorne is nationally known as a leading expert on policies and programs to support children, particularly Native American children and their families.
Representative King and Senator Mayne are grateful for each of these appointees’ consideration and willingness to serve all corners of the state of Utah. These members will uphold transparency in the redistricting process and preserve the voice of the people — the primary values necessitated for the design of fair district boundaries.
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