Gov. Mike Leavitt appointed Leonard Blackham to the state Senate on Saturday and Keele Johnson to the Utah House.
Blackham, 42, will replace Sen. Cary Peterson, R-Nephi, who was named by Leavitt as state agriculture commissioner.Blackham is a Moroni turkey farmer who served on the San-pete County Commission from 1988 to 1992. He was elected in November to the state House, so Republican Party officials now must nominate potential House members from which Leavitt will choose one.
Johnson, 41, of Blanding, was named to replace Lyle Anderson, R-Monticello, who was elected in November but subsequently appointed a 7th District judge. Johnson's appointment is contingent upon Anderson's confirmation by the Senate on Wednesday.
Johnson, a Blanding city councilman, is an administrator at the College of Eastern Utah. Johnson placed second to Anderson in the Republican primary in September 1992.