Spencer Cox in 2024 UT Governor's race
On Civil Rights:
He promoted equity, diversity across state agencies
Cox spoke about inclusivity while running for the state's highest office, gave equality and opportunity a section in the document laying out goals for his administration and asked his senior staff to complete training on empathy,
race and "the intersectional Utah story." He created new positions to coordinate equity initiatives and promote diversity across state agencies.
Source: Salt Lake Tribune on 2024 Utah Gubernatorial race
Jul 19, 2023
On Crime:
Police reform part of an ongoing process as we gather data
The governor told reporters he credits police in Utah with being open to change, particularly after the death of George Floyd. The bills signed by Cox beef up training for officers, data reporting requirements, and regulations on using force, among
other things. "I don't think we're done, and I don't think they think we're done," said Cox, speaking of law enforcement. "I think that as we gather data, we're going to find areas where we can improve, and then we'll implement those improvements."
Source: KUTV on 2024 Utah Gubernatorial race
Jul 19, 2023
On Free Trade:
Led trade mission to Israel & United Arab Emirates
The Trade Office of the UAE Embassy in Washington, DC hosted Utah Governor Spencer J. Cox and a high-level state delegation to Abu Dhabi and Dubai. Governor Cox noted the delegation arrived in the UAE following meetings in Israel.
He emphasized the unlimited bilateral and multilateral commercial opportunities now possible between Utah, the Emirates, and Israel due to the Abraham Accords, the diplomatic normalization agreement signed two years ago between the UAE and Israel.
Source: P.R. Newswire press release 2024 Utah Gubernatorial race
Sep 21, 2022
On Government Reform:
False choice to secure elections by making it harder to vote
Cox defended Utah's vote-by-mail system, deeming the choice between making it easier for Americans to vote and having a secure elections system a "false choice.""There's this misconception that in order to have secure elections you have to make it
harder for people to vote, and we believe that that's a false choice. That's a false dichotomy," he continued. "We've been able to prove that while also making it easier for those who are eligible to vote to vote."
Source: Salt Lake Tribune on 2024 Utah Gubernatorial race
Jan 28, 2022
On Homeland Security:
Utah best state for military; will ensure it stays that way
[On military families]: "A lot of things have changed in our state, our country and world over this past year," said Gov. Cox. "This annual discussion is extremely valuable in helping me understand the opportunities and challenges that come with
these changes. I believe Utah is the best state for military missions and military families and I will do all I can to ensure it stays that way."
Source: Hill Air Force Base press release on 2024 Utah Governor race
Nov 3, 2022
On Principles & Values:
I don't like to rank sins; I just do the best I can
Q: Mormon leaders recently clarified that same-sex marriage is a "grievous sin." How do you feel about that?COX: Whether you see that as a sin or not I think is unimportant. I don't like to rank sins. I clearly have many, many, many faults and many
sins myself. I've just determined that none of that matters to me personally. I just have to do the best I can with what I have. Part of that is the commandment - and my church teaches this as well - that we are to love everyone as Jesus taught us.
Source: NPR on 2024 Utah Gubernatorial race
Jul 19, 2023
On Principles & Values:
American Exceptionalism means disagreeing better
Cox said he saw "American Exceptionalism at work" at the National Governors' Association winter meeting earlier this month. "We didn't agree on everything, but we disagreed better. And we found ideas to bring us together. I still believe this is what
Americans want. I don't just mean civility and kindness (although we definitely need more of that too). I mean passionate disagreement that doesn't destroy our souls and our country," Cox said.
Source: The Hill e-zine on 2024 Utah Gubernatorial race
Feb 20, 2023
On Social Security:
Reduced state tax on Social Security income
One major bill enacts a modest income tax cut, a Social Security income tax cut, expands the Earned Income Tax Credit and adds an unborn child exemption. For the average Utah family making roughly $80,000 a year? The income tax cut equates to roughly
$200 a year back. While that may not sound like a lot, the governor told reporters that "every dollar makes a difference and I think you have to look at all of these tax cuts together."
Source: FOX 13 Salt Lake City on 2024 Utah Gubernatorial race
Jul 19, 2023
On Drugs:
Rated B by NORML: supports medical marijuana
NORML Politician Info: rated B- Candidate: Spencer Cox (R-UT): Holds office: Governor; Candidate for Governor on 11/5/2024
- Summary: MEDICAL USE
- Comments: Regarding Medical Marijuana in
Washington State: He said he did not personally celebrate 420, the unofficial marijuana holiday on April 20, nor does he "partake" cannabis. But he added that he has toured the growing and production facilities and spoken with both doctors and patients
and heard largely positive feedback. "As issues rise up, we'll continue to fix those," Cox said. "But again, I think we're doing it the right way and providing relief for those who need it, through the care of a doctor, and not opening the floodgates in
a way that is dangerous." (4/21/22)
- legislation in 2022:
- Signed Medical Cannabis Patient Protection Amendments, SB 46
- Signed Medical Cannabis Access Amendments, SB 195
- Signed Marijuana Definitions Amendments, HB 442
Source: NORML "Smoke the Vote" on 2024 Utah Gubernatorial race
Aug 8, 2024
On Government Reform:
Support the legislature overturning ballot initiatives
Cox and King volleyed about one of the most hotly debated questions ahead of November--whether Utahns should approve a constitutional amendment proposed in an emergency special session giving lawmakers unfettered power to repeal or amend voter-passed
initiatives.King said he would vote against the amendment in November, but Cox remained coy as to where he sits on it. "The governor doesn't have an opportunity to weigh in on constitutional amendments,"
Cox said, while insisting the power to run ballot initiatives must remain available.
"The governor is deceiving you in the same way the Legislature is," King responded, pointing out that while the governor's signature wasn't required for the
amendment, he did sign bills that enabled the question to be printed on the ballot. "He's a lapdog for the most extreme and the most divisive voices in the Legislature."
Source: Salt Lake Tribune on 2024 Utah Gubernatorial race
Sep 11, 2024
On Principles & Values:
I endorse Trump because most Utahns support Trump
The only debate between candidates for governor evolved into a sparring match between Cox and state Rep. Brian King that echoed the Democrat's struggles against policies passed by the Legislature's Republican supermajority with the governor's stamp of
approval over the last four years.Early on in the debate, King leveled criticism at Cox for his about-face endorsement of former President Donald Trump as his National Governors Association campaign to "disagree better" concluded. "The governor right
now is simply acting inconsistently with his statements that he wants to disagree better," he said, pointing out the ex-president's efforts to overturn the results of the last presidential election.
Cox responded, saying, "It's sad to me that my
colleague would dismiss the vast majority of voters in our state who are going to support the former president," adding he aims to continue to try bringing Utahns across the political spectrum together.
Source: Salt Lake Tribune on 2024 Utah Gubernatorial race
Sep 11, 2024
Page last updated: Oct 31, 2024