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Gov. Spencer Cox nominated Judge John Nielsen to the Utah Supreme Court.

Nielsen faces Senate confirmation amid tensions between judiciary and GOP lawmakers.

Nielsen's judicial philosophy is textualist and originalist; Senate vote expected in November.

SALT LAKE CITY — Utah Gov. Spencer Cox nominated 3rd District Judge John Nielsen to serve on the state Supreme Court after Associate Justice John Pearce resigns his seat , effective Dec. 1.

Nielsen's appointment to the high court comes at a moment of tension between the judiciary and the Republican-controlled Legislature, as lawmakers have bristled at several recent court rulings and some Republicans have lambasted jurists as activists.

Nielsen is subject to confirmation by the Senate,

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