Judge Jason Craig Nelson, who has served on Utah's 2nd District Court since January 2023, faces a retention vote on the Nov. 3 general election ballot.

Nelson was appointed to the bench by Gov. Spencer Cox, filling the vacancy left by Judge David Connors' retirement, according to the Utah Courts biography for Nelson. The race is nonpartisan. The ballot poses a single question: whether to retain Nelson. He is certified for the ballot, according to BallotReady election data.

For Davis County voters, a "yes" vote keeps Nelson on the bench. A "no" vote removes him.

Candidate information

  • Name: Jason Craig Nelson
  • Office sought: Utah 2nd District Court judge (retention)
  • Election: Nov. 3, 2026, Utah General Election
  • Party: Nonpartisan
  • Education: Bachelor's degree in history, Brigham Young University, 2002; juris doctor, Brigham Young University, 2007

Experience and public service

Nelson spent most of his legal career at the Davis County Attorney's Office, where he served as a deputy county attorney from 2008 to 2023, according to BallotReady profile data. Within that office, he served as the primary domestic violence prosecutor from 2009 to 2018. He then led the general felonies division as division chief from 2019 until his appointment to the bench in 2023, according to his Utah Courts biography.

Before joining the Davis County Attorney's Office, Nelson clerked for the Utah Attorney General's Office criminal justice division and served as a prosecutor for West Bountiful and North Salt Lake, according to a governor's office news release announcing his appointment. He also served as a judicial law clerk at the 2nd District Court from 2007 to 2008, according to his Utah Courts biography.

Outside the courtroom, Nelson coaches basketball, baseball and football for West Point recreation teams and serves on the West Point Planning Commission, according to the governor's office release.


Compiled from the Utah Courts judicial biography and the governor's office appointment announcement. No candidate questionnaire responses were available at the time of publication.