When confirmed, Holbrook will replace David Maher, whose term expires in June 2009. Maher, a Democrat, resigned from the board for personal reasons, Amanda Covington, spokeswoman for Gov. Olene Walker, said Wednesday.

State law requires that no more than eight of the 16-voting members on the 18-member Regents can be from any one party. Two members, representing the State School Board, are nonvoting members.

Regents Chairman Nolan Karras didn't know Holbrook was at the top of the list, but supports the governor's choice.

"It's news to me," Karras said. "I have met Meghan, and she's sharp and smart. If she's the one, she is welcome and we would love to have her help."

Holbrook was replaced by Donald Dunn as the head of the state's Democratic Party last year. She currently works for Zions Bank. Holbrook was unavailable for comment Wednesday.

Maher, a pharmacist and former president and chief operating officer for American Stores, was named to the Regents in 2003.

Last month, Katherine Garff, former chairwoman of the University of Utah President's Club and a past member of the State School Board, replaced Charlie Johnson on the Regents. Johnson accepted a job with the Bush administration in Washington, D.C.

And Trent Kemp, a political science major at Utah State University, is the new student regent, replacing William Edwards, who graduated this year from the U.

sykes@sltrib.com