Utahns vote to retain Supreme Court Justice Jill Pohlman, and other election updates

SALT LAKE CITY — A top justice in the Utah Supreme Court will retain her seat after the midterm election, despite efforts from some Republicans to encourage Utahns to vote against her.

Associate Chief Justice Jill Pohlman, the highest-ranking member of the court since the chief justice resigned earlier this year, is on track to win retention with more than three-quarters of voters supporting her. Judges are almost never voted off the bench, but it's also unusual for political leaders to openly call for voters to reject a member of the judiciary.

Some Republicans in the Legislature have expressed frustration with the state's high court after it ruled against lawmakers in several high-profile cases, including lawsuits on abortion and redistricting.

Judges in Utah are appointed by the governor and approved by the Senate, but then must win regular retention elections after that in order to stay on the bench.

Pohlman and former Justice Diana Hagen were the only two justices up for retention elections this year, and both were targeted for being voted out by Republicans. Outgoing Rep. Burgess Owens, R-Utah, called for Republicans to vote against retaining both during a rally, while Utah Republican Party Chairman Rob Axson asked the same of delegates during this year's party nominating convention.

Hagen resigned in May ahead of a state investigation into an alleged relationship, leaving Pohlman the only member of the Supreme Court on this November's ballot.

Voters appear not to have heeded the calls for opposing Pohlman, as more than 77% voted to retain her.

Other election updates

Rep. Blake Moore, R-Utah, declared victory over Democrat Peter Crosby on Tuesday night, but the 2nd Congressional District race was officially called for Moore by the Associated Press on Thursday morning. Moore currently leads with just over 50% of the vote, compared to Crosby's 42%. Several other candidates sit in the single digits, as of 4:45 p.m.

Around 89% of the votes have been tallied in that district, according to Associated Press estimates.

The race for Utah's 4th Congressional District remains the only uncalled race Thursday afternoon, although Rep. Mike Kennedy leads with 53%, while Democrat Kent Udell has 41%.

Multiple GOP-held seats in the Utah Legislature still seem on track to flip to Democrats, likely ending the supermajority Republicans have held in the House for at least 26 years. Senate Majority Leader Kirk Cullimore, R-Sandy, is set to be the highest-ranking incumbent to lose, as he still trails Democrat Shana Anderson by more than 4,000 votes. Cullimore was considered a frontrunner to lead the Senate after Senate President Stuart Adams, R-Layton, was defeated in a primary election in June.

Sen. Emily Buss, a member of the Utah Forward Party and the Legislature's only third-party member, trails Republican Brooks Benson by fewer than 200 votes, as of Thursday afternoon.

In the House, 13 Democrats and two independents are still on pace to flip GOP-held seats as they lead Republicans by at least several hundred as of 4:45 p.m.

Votes are still being counted across the state, and results could continue to trickle in in the coming days. Salt Lake County Clerk Lannie Chapman said her office will likely release another batch of results by 8 p.m. on Thursday, with more around the same time on Friday and Saturday if needed.

Contributing: Daniel Woodruff