Spencer Cox | |
|---|---|
.jpg) Cox in 2025 | |
| 18thGovernor of Utah | |
| Assumed office January 4, 2021 | |
| Lieutenant | Deidre Henderson |
| Preceded by | Gary Herbert |
| Chair of theNational Governors Association | |
| In office July 14, 2023 – July 12, 2024 | |
| Preceded by | Phil Murphy |
| Succeeded by | Jared Polis |
| 8thLieutenant Governor of Utah | |
| In office October 16, 2013 – January 4, 2021 | |
| Governor | Gary Herbert |
| Preceded by | Greg Bell |
| Succeeded by | Deidre Henderson |
| Member of theUtah House of Representatives from the 58th district | |
| In office January 1, 2013 – October 16, 2013 | |
| Preceded by | Stephen Sandstrom |
| Succeeded by | Jon Cox |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Spencer James Cox (1975-07-11)July 11, 1975 (age 50) Mount Pleasant, Utah, U.S. |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse | |
| Children | 4 |
| Residence | Governor's Mansion |
| Education | Snow College (AA) Utah State University (BA) Washington and Lee University (JD) |
| Signature |  |
| Website | Office website Campaign website |
Spencer Cox speaks to service members atCamp Williams. Recorded September 24, 2022 | |
Spencer James Cox (born July 11, 1975) is an American lawyer and politician serving since 2021 as the 18thgovernor of Utah. A member of theRepublican Party, he served from 2013 to 2021 as the eighthlieutenant governor of Utah. InFairview, Utah, where Cox lives and was raised, he was elected to thecity council in 2004 and then asmayor in 2005. In 2008, he was elected as aSanpete Countycommissioner.[1]
He was elected to theUtah House of Representatives in 2012. In October 2013, GovernorGary Herbert appointed Cox to replaceGreg Bell as lieutenant governor; he was confirmed unanimously by theUtah State Senate. Cox was elected to the lieutenant governorship as Herbert's running mate in 2016, and waselected governor in 2020. He was reelected to a second term in2024, which he confirmed would be his last, even though Utah has no term limits on governorships.
Cox was born on July 11, 1975, inMount Pleasant, Utah. He grew up in the nearby town of Fairview and graduated fromNorth Sanpete High School inMount Pleasant. He enrolled atSnow College inEphraim, taking two years off to serve afull-time mission forthe Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints inMexico. After his mission, he returned to Snow and married his high-school sweetheart,Abby, who also graduated from Snow College. After graduating with anassociate's degree, he attendedUtah State University (USU) inLogan, Utah, graduating in 1998 with aBachelor of Arts inpolitical science.[2] At USU, Cox was named Student of the Year and graduated with a 4.0grade point average.
Cox was accepted toHarvard Law School but instead chose to attend theWashington and Lee University School of Law. He was a member of theWashington and Lee Law Review and graduated in 2001 with aJuris Doctor degree with honors.[2][3]
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After graduating from law school, Cox was alaw clerk to judgeTed Stewart of theU.S. District Court for the District of Utah from 2001 to 2002. He then entered private practice as an associate at theSalt Lake City law firm Fabian & Clendenin (now Fabian VanCott). He returned to rural Utah and became a vice president ofCentracom.[4]
Cox was elected as a city councilor of Fairview, Utah in 2004,[3] and mayor the next year. In 2008, he was elected as a Sanpete County commissioner.[5][6][2] Cox was elected to the Utah House of Representatives in 2012 and became the first member to call for theimpeachment ofJohn Swallow, theattorney general of Utah, over violations ofcampaign finance laws.[7] Cox and Lieutenant Governor Bell served as co-chairs of Governor Herbert's Rural Partnership Board.[8]
In October 2013, Herbert selected Cox to succeed Bell as lieutenant governor following Bell's resignation.[8] The Utah Senate's Government Operations Confirmation Committee unanimously approved his nomination on October 15.[9] The next day, the full Utah Senate confirmed him unanimously and he was sworn in.[10] As lieutenant governor, Cox produced a report on Swallow's financial interests, demonstrating that Swallow had failed to properly disclose all of his income and business interests. Swallow resigned before the report's release.[11] In the2016 Utah gubernatorial election, Cox was elected to a full term as lieutenant governor as Herbert's running mate.[12][13]
On May 14, 2019, after Herbert announced that he would not seek reelection, Cox announced his candidacy for the Republican nomination forgovernor of Utah in2020.[14] With 36% of the vote in the primary, he defeated former governorJon Huntsman Jr., former Utah GOP chairThomas Wright, and former Utah House speakerGreg Hughes.[15] In the general election, Cox defeated theDemocratic nominee,Chris Peterson, 63% to 30%.[16] In a break with tradition, Cox's January 4, 2021, inauguration (with precautions against theCOVID-19 pandemic) was held at theTuacahn Center for the Arts inIvins, Utah, a small town in Washington County. The stated purpose of this move was to express Cox's desire to be governor for the entire state as opposed to focusing on theWasatch Front region.[17] Within days of his inauguration, he opened an office onSouthern Utah University'sCedar City campus.[18]
Cox said early on that increasing the speed of the state's vaccine distribution was his administration's top priority. As of April 2021, Utah had administered more than 85% of the doses that it has received, according toCDC data.[19] In 2020, during theCOVID-19 pandemic in Utah, Cox faced criticism for the state's decision to award millions of dollars in no-bid contracts in the early days of the crisis and for the controversial purchase of an anti-malaria drug as a possible treatment for COVID-19. Cox says he had no role in approving the $800,000hydroxychloroquine order, which was later canceled.[18][20] In July 2022, Cox was elected vice chair of theNational Governors Association, succeeding New Jersey governorPhil Murphy, who was voted chair.[21] In March 2023, Cox signed two bills into law, including theUtah Social Media Regulation Act, which bans social media platforms, such asTikTok,Instagram, andSnapchat, from allowing minors to create accounts without parental consent, and blocks children's access during certain hours.[22][23][24]
Cox has vetoed five bills as of 2022, all of which were Republican-backed (Republicans have supermajorities in both of Utah's state legislative chambers). His first veto was of a bill sponsored by his brother-in-law, SenatorMike McKell, that sought to regulate howsocial media platforms moderate content.[25] Cox also vetoed Senate Bill 187: Local Education Agency Policies Amendments, sponsored byRonald Winterton; Senate Bill 39: Hemp Regulation Amendments, sponsored byDavid Hinkins; and House Bill 98: Local Government Building Regulation Amendments, sponsored byPaul Ray.[26][27][28] In March 2022, Cox vetoed House Bill 11: Student Eligibility in Interscholastic Activities, sponsored byKera Birkeland, which aimed to preventtransgender youth athletes from participating in women's sports. Cox noted that of Utah's 75,000 student athletes, only four were transgender and only one competed in women's sports.[29] The legislature overrode his veto.[30]
Cox is frequently considered a moderate Republican.[31][32] In October 2015, Cox endorsedMarco Rubio in the2016 Republican presidential primary.[33] After Rubio withdrew, Cox endorsedTed Cruz in March 2016.[34] Cox said ofDonald Trump's campaign, "We care a lot about decorum. We care about our neighbors. We are a good, kind people. He does not represent neither goodness nor kindness."[35] He said he would not support Trump if he won the Republican nomination: "I think he's disingenuous. I think he's dangerous. I think he represents the worst of what our great country stands for... I won't vote forHillary [Clinton], but I won't vote for Trump, either."[36]
Cox eventually changed course and said in 2020 that he supported Trump, although he claims not to have voted for Trump in the2016 or the2020 presidential election. After the2021 United States Capitol attack, Cox said that Trump was responsible for inciting the violence and called on him to resign.[37][38] On July 14, 2024, Cox released a letter endorsing Trump. In it, he wrote of afailed Trump assassination attempt: "I want you to know that I truly believe that God had a hand in saving you...I also hesitate to even imagine what would have happened to our country if your life had not been miraculously spared... Your life was spared. Now, because of that miracle, you have the opportunity to do something that no other person on earth can do right now: unify and save our country." Cox added that he believes that only Trump can unite the citizenry of the U.S. and prevent the country from being torn apart.[39]
Cox describes himself as"pro-life".[40] He opposes abortion except in the cases of rape, incest, or danger to the life of the mother.[41] In May 2022, after theleaking of the draft opinion to overturnRoe v. Wade, Cox expressed support for the decision, but decried the leak, saying, "While we are encouraged and optimistic at the possibility that the abortion law will be left to the duly elected representatives of the states, draft rulings are not actual rulings and leaked drafts are a dangerous violation of court protocol and deliberations."[42]
On June 24, 2022, Cox expressed his support for theoverturning ofRoe v. Wade and said: "This administration has been dedicated to giving a voice to the most vulnerable in our society, including the unborn. We wholeheartedly support this Supreme Court ruling and are encouraged to see abortion law will be left to elected state representatives. As pro-life advocates, this administration is equally committed to supporting women and families in Utah. We all need to do more to support mothers, pregnant women, and children facing poverty and trauma."[43] In March 2023, Cox signed a bill banning abortion clinics from operating in Utah and requiring abortions to be performed in a hospital.[44] The law was issued a temporary injunction by Third District Court Judge Andrew Stone a day before it was to take effect.[45]
Cox opposes the use of theAntiquities Act to createnational monuments, saying that he believes monument designations hurt the landscapes they are meant to protect. He has expressed opposition to the restored boundaries ofBears Ears National Monument andGrand Staircase–Escalante National Monument, and to the creation ofBaaj Nwaavjo I'tah Kukveni – Ancestral Footprints of the Grand Canyon National Monument.[46]
In February 2021, Cox signed aconstitutional carry bill to allow individuals to carry a firearm in public without a permit, making Utah the 17th state to do so.[47] At a June 2022 press conference, Cox said he was open to discussing with the legislature ared flag law to permit a state court to order the temporary seizure of firearms from any person believed to present a danger.[48]
On March 28, 2025, Cox signed into a law a bill introduced by Republican state lawmakerStephanie Gricius banning from Utah's public water any addition offluoride, a mineral added to public water since 1945 to preventcavities. The law is to take effect on May 7, making Utah the first U.S. state to banwater fluoridation. In her introduction, Gricius claimed that research shows fluoride "could have possible cognitive effects in children".Health SecretaryRobert F. Kennedy Jr. has repeatedly raised concerns about fluoride's health risks.[49] Major medical associations and public health groups, such as theAmerican Academy of Pediatrics, theAmerican Dental Association, and theCenters for Disease Control and Prevention, support water fluoridation.[50]
On June 13, 2016, Cox spoke at a vigil in Salt Lake City honoring those who died in theOrlando nightclub shooting the day before. He surprised many when he apologized for mistreating schoolmates and his lack of support for theLGBTQ community.[51][52] He aimed part of his speech at the "straight community":[53]
How did you feel when you heard that 49 people had been gunned down by a self-proclaimed terrorist? That’s the easy question. Here is the hard one: Did that feeling change when you found out the shooting was at a gay bar at 2 a.m. in the morning? If that feeling changed, then we are doing something wrong.
Cox has further shown support for the LGBTQ+ community by supporting Governor Herbert's signing an executive order on January 21, 2020, to banconversion therapy after a bill to do so died in the State Senate in May 2019.[54][55] In an April 2021 town hall meeting, Cox announced hispersonal pronouns are "he", "him", and "his".[56] In March 2022, Cox vetoedHB11, which would ban transgender youth from participating in high school sports, noting that only four trans kids were playing high school sports in the state at the time. "These kids, they're just trying to stay alive", he said, referring to studies showing that 56% of trans youth have attempted suicide.[57][58]
On June 1, 2022, Cox became the first Utah governor to recognize June as LGBTQ+ Pride Month when he issued an official proclamation and encouraged Utahns to "be more welcoming and accepting of the LGBTQ community".[59] On January 28, 2023, Cox signed Senate Bill 16, which bans gender-affirming surgery for patients under 18.[60] On March 22, 2023, Cox signed HB228, codifying Utah's existing conversion therapy ban, previously approved through a 2020 administrative rule. It was the first conversion therapy ban in the country to pass a state legislature unanimously.[61][62]
On August 5, 2024, Cox and other state leaders shared unconfirmed reports that Olympic boxerImane Khelif was genetically male. Utah House Speaker Mike Schultz initially posted, "Enough is enough. Men don't belong in women's sports", which Cox shared, adding: "This should never happen to any of our female athletes. They deserve better." At the time of these statements, Khelif was qualified as a woman by the International Olympic Committee but had been disqualified by the Russian-led International Boxing Association. The results of any genetic or other sex-related tests are confidential under medical privacy rules.[63][64]
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Cox is the oldest of eight children and grew up on a farm in Fairview.[2] He and his wife,Abby, have four children and live on their family farm in Fairview.[3] His father, Eddie, served on theUtah Transportation Commission and was also a Sanpete County commissioner.[9]
Cox playsbass guitar in agarage band.[7][9] His brother-in-law, Travis Osmond, the son ofMerrill Osmond, taught him to play bass.[65] State SenatorMike McKell is also a brother-in-law.[2] Cox's fourth cousin,Jon Cox, succeeded him in the Utah House of Representatives.[66]
Cox is a fan of the bandThe Killers and in 2018 recorded a cover of The Killers' song "Read My Mind" with his band. At a 2024 campaign event, he crowdsurfed during aBrandon Flowers performance.[67]
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Gary Herbert/Spencer Cox (incumbent) | 750,850 | 66.74% | −1.67% | |
| Democratic | Mike Weinholtz/Kim Bowman | 323,349 | 28.74% | +1.16% | |
| Libertarian | Brian Kamerath/Barry Short | 34,827 | 3.10% | +0.85% | |
| Independent American | Superdell Schanze/Gregory Duerden | 15,912 | 1.41% | N/A | |
| Independent | L.S. Brown (write-in) | 97 | 0.01% | N/A | |
| Total votes | 1,125,035 | 100.0% | N/A | ||
| Republicanhold | |||||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Spencer Cox | 190,565 | 36.15% | |
| Republican | Jon Huntsman Jr. | 184,246 | 34.95% | |
| Republican | Greg Hughes | 110,835 | 21.02% | |
| Republican | Thomas Wright | 41,532 | 7.88% | |
| Total votes | 527,178 | 100.00% | ||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Spencer Cox | 918,754 | 62.98% | −3.76% | |
| Democratic | Christopher Peterson | 442,754 | 30.35% | +1.61% | |
| Libertarian | Daniel Cottam | 51,393 | 3.52% | +0.42% | |
| Independent American | Gregory Duerden | 25,810 | 1.77% | +0.36% | |
| Write-in | 20,167 | 1.38% | +1.37% | ||
| Total votes | 1,458,878 | 100.00% | |||
| Republicanhold | |||||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican |
| 781,431 | 52.89% | −10.09 | |
| Democratic |
| 420,514 | 28.63% | −1.72 | |
| Write-In |
| 200,551 | 13.57% | N/A | |
| Libertarian |
| 41,164 | 2.79% | −0.73 | |
| Independent American |
| 27,480 | 1.86% | +0.09 | |
| Independent |
| 5,792 | 0.39% | N/A | |
| Write-In |
| 525 | 0.04% | N/A | |
| Total votes | 1,477,457 | 100.00% | |||
| Republicanhold | |||||
| Utah House of Representatives | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by | Member of theUtah House of Representatives from the 58th district 2013 | Succeeded by |
| Political offices | ||
| Preceded by | Lieutenant Governor of Utah 2013–2021 | Succeeded by |
| Preceded by | Governor of Utah 2021–present | Incumbent |
| Preceded by | Chair of theNational Governors Association 2023–2024 | Succeeded by |
| Party political offices | ||
| Preceded by | Republican nominee forGovernor of Utah 2020,2024 | Most recent |
| U.S. order of precedence (ceremonial) | ||
| Preceded byasVice President | Order of precedence of the United States Within Utah | Succeeded by Mayor of city in which event is held |
| Succeeded by OtherwiseMike Johnson asSpeaker of the House | ||
| Preceded byasGovernor of Wyoming | Order of precedence of the United States Outside Utah | Succeeded byasGovernor of Oklahoma |
Statewide political officials ofUtah | ||
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| U.S. senators |  | |
| State government | ||
| Senate |
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| House |
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