The Utah Senate voted unanimously Friday to confirm Constandinos Himonas as a Justice on the Utah Supreme Court.
Himonas fills the vacancy created by retiring Justice Ronald Nehring. In accepting the confirmation, Justice Himonas recognized the presence of his mentor, Mike Dimitrich of Price, who served in both the Utah House and Senate over a 40 year period. He called the confirmation process fair and thorough.
“I am deeply, deeply committed to a textual approach to the legislation that comes out of this body and the House,” says Himonas. “And an originalist approach to both the Constitution of this state and the Constitution of the United States.”
Salt Lake City Democratic Senator Jim Dabakis called it a Big Fat Greek confirmation party as he recognized friends and family of Himonas in the gallery.
“Competency and integrity are always the great characteristics for a judge, but what we also have a judge who meets the other highest criteria and that is he’s the first Greek American to serve on the Utah Supreme Court,” says Dabakis.
Himonas leaves the Third District Court, a seat that then Governor Olene Walker appointed him to in 2004.
