Scott Sommerdorf  |  The Salt Lake Tribune             
After midnight, Utah Governor Gary Herbert thanks the Representatives for their work as the Legidlators ended the 2012 session in the Utah House of Representatives, Thursday, March 8, 2012.

Governor says Utah senator would be good on Supreme Court

SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — Utah Gov. Gary Herbert says he’d support Sen. Mike Lee if he was nominated for the Supreme Court, but he likely wouldn’t name himself as Lee’s replacement if the senator was confirmed.

Lee is on the list of 25 names President Donald Trump is considering for the vacancy left by the retirement of Justice Anthony Kennedy, an announcement that’s already touched off a battle over his replacement.

Herbert said during his monthly news conference Thursday that either the senator or his brother, Utah Supreme Court Justice Thomas Lee, would be good additions to the nation’s highest court. Thomas Lee is also on the list.

Asked whether he would nominate himself to replace Sen. Mike Lee, Herbert said he doesn’t think he’d want the job because it would be more difficult to get things done.