Congressman Blake Moore issued the following statement today regarding the allegations surrounding a Utah Supreme Court justice and her personal relationship with an attorney involved in redistricting litigation:
“The Utah Supreme Court’s decision in the League of Women Voters case and other rulings related to redistricting have raised questions for many Utahns about the role of the judiciary in shaping congressional maps. Yesterday, a troubling allegation involving a sitting Utah Supreme Court justice was reported. Reports suggest that this justice may have been involved in a relationship with an attorney who played a key role in the redistricting litigation. If these allegations are true, they could represent a breach of public trust and undermine the credibility of the judicial process.
The impartiality of our courts is essential to the functioning of our democracy. Utahns must be able to trust that judges are making decisions based solely on the law, not personal relationships or outside influences. It is imperative that the public is assured that our judicial system is free from bias and conflicts of interest. I fully support Governor Spencer Cox, Senate President Stuart Adams, Speaker Mike Schultz, and the Utah Legislature as they investigate these claims. The investigation should be thorough, transparent, and swift.
This situation highlights a broader issue of judicial interference in core legislative responsibilities, including redistricting. To address concerns about the balance of power between branches of government and to ensure that Utah’s government remains accountable to the people, I have supported Senate President Adams in moving forward a constitutional amendment regarding the state legislature’s authority to adjust ballot initiatives. As I wrote in a letter to Senate President Stuart Adams and Speaker Mike Schultz last October, the constitutional role of the legislature must remain authoritative or we could see significant and unintended abuses of the initiative process. The legislature made crucially important changes to the Medicaid expansion initiative. The legislature also adopted excellent compromises to ensure Proposition 2, the medical marijuana initiative, addressed public safety. In both cases, the will of the voters was respected, and responsible and important changes were made by the people’s representatives that better represent the needs and concerns of all Utahns.
Utahns deserve legislators and judges who are transparent, accountable, free from conflicts of interest, and carry themselves with integrity. I am committed to working with my colleagues in the Legislature and the people of Utah to restore confidence in our institutions and preserve the integrity of our democratic system.”
