Tooele County’s top attorney will take on the title of judge, but he’ll still be on the November ballot for re-election.
Tooele County Attorney Doug Hogan said he got a call from Gov. Gary Herbert on Thursday, saying he would submit Hogan’s name for confirmation as a 3rd District Court judge — if Hogan were still interested in the job.
Hogan said he was. The Utah Senate will convene on Nov. 19 to confirm or reject Herbert’s recommendation.
Hogan threw his hat into the judicial ring last summer when a vacancy for a judge in the 3rd District Court became available. He was named a finalist for the position in August. The 3rd District Court handles criminal and civil matters in Salt Lake, Summit and Tooele counties.
The five finalists, whittled down from 21 applicants through a review and interview process, interviewed with members of Herbert’s staff and the governor.
While his ambition has always been to someday become a judge, Hogan said he has mixed feelings about the now-good chance he will fulfill that dream.
“I’m very excited about reaching that goal and reaching that point, but I’m also sad to be leaving my job as county attorney,” he said. “I really like the staff in my office. I really like working for the county and I feel it’s a very meaningful way to serve my community. I think the role of district court judge will be the same in that respect.”
Hogan said at some point he hopes to be in a position to apply for and be given the position of district judge in the Tooele County District Court. That position is currently occupied by Judge Robert Adkins.
Despite being nominated as district court judge, voters will still see Hogan’s name on the Nov. 4 ballot. Because Hogan, who is running for re-election as county attorney unopposed and will not appear before the Senate for confirmation until after the election, will still technically be eligible for re-election.
If Hogan is confirmed by the Senate, he will start in his new capacity by the end of the year — before he would be sworn into his elected position. In that case, the Tooele County Commission will appoint an interim county attorney until the Tooele County Republican Party submits three names for a replacement to the commission for review. The commission will then select one of the three names to serve as county attorney.