Spencer Cox

Spencer Cox (Republican Party) is the Governor of Utah. He assumed office on January 4, 2021. His current term ends on January 1, 2029.

Cox was born in July 1975 and grew up on a farm in Fairview, Utah.^[1] He earned an associate degree from Snow College in 1996, a bachelor's degree in political science from Utah State University in 1998, and a law degree from Washington and Lee University School of Law in 2001.^[2]

After graduating, he moved back to the family farm in Fairview, where he served as a city councilor, mayor, and county commissioner.^[1] From 2003 to 2013, he also worked as the vice president and general counsel for CentraCom Interactive.^[2]

Cox was elected to represent Utah House District 58 in 2012. In 2013, then-Gov. Gary Herbert (R) nominated Cox as lieutenant governor, a position Cox held until he became governor in 2021. Deseret News' Lisa Riley Roche wrote at the time, "Gov. Gary Herbert surprised just about everyone Tuesday by naming a relatively unknown freshman in the state House, Rep. Spencer Cox, R-Fairview, to replace Lt. Gov. Greg Bell."^[3] Herbert said Cox's optimism, brightness, and local government and academic experience were reasons for the appointment.^[3]

Cox and his opponent Chris Peterson (D) made national headlines in their 2020 bids for governor after the pair appeared in two joint ads expressing their support for democracy and the peaceful transfer of power.^[1] Cox said in the first ad, "We can disagree without hating each other."^[1] Cox defeated Peterson in the general election 63% to 30%.

Politico's Ryan Lizza wrote in June 2024, "It’s nearly impossible to find a Republican politician who can stand against Donald Trump and still hold on to their political viability. But one — perhaps the only one — is Utah Gov. Spencer Cox."^[4] After an attempted assassination of Trump in July 2024, Cox wrote in a letter to Trump, "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."^[5]

In November 2024, Cox won a second term in office after defeating Brian King (D) 57% to 31% in the general election. Cox said his priorities in his second term were housing and energy. On housing, Cox said he would aim to add more affordable starter homes to the market, and on energy, Cox said the plan (named Operation Gigawatt) was to "double energy production in this country over the next 10 years."^[6]

Biography

Cox was born on July 11, 1975, in Fairview, Utah. He graduated from Snow College in 1996 with an A.A. in general studies. He then received a B.A. in political science and government from Utah State University in 1998 and a J.D. from Washington and Lee University School of Law in 2001. Before entering public service, he worked as the vice president and general counsel of CentraCom Interactive from 2003 to 2013.^[2]

Political career

Below is a list of offices within Ballotpedia’s scope. Offices outside of that scope will not be listed. If an update is needed and the office is within our scope, please contact us.

Cox's political career includes the following offices:

2021-present: Governor of Utah
2013-2021: Lieutenant Governor of Utah
2013-2013: Utah House of Representatives District 58

Elections

2024

General election

General election for Governor of Utah

The following candidates ran in the general election for Governor of Utah on November 5, 2024.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Spencer Cox (R)	52.7	781,431
		Brian King (D)	28.4	420,514
		Phil Lyman (Unaffiliated) (Write-in)	13.5	200,551
		J. Robert Latham (L)	2.8	41,164
	Submit photo	Tommy Williams (Independent American Party)	1.9	27,480
		Tom Tomeny (Unaffiliated)	0.4	5,792
	Submit photo	Charlie Tautuaa (Unaffiliated) (Write-in)	0.0	525
		Other/Write-in votes	0.3	4,464

	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 1,481,921
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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

Richard Lyman (Unaffiliated)

Republican primary election

Republican primary for Governor of Utah

Incumbent Spencer Cox defeated Phil Lyman in the Republican primary for Governor of Utah on June 25, 2024.

	Candidate	%	Votes
✔	Spencer Cox	54.4	232,164
	Phil Lyman	45.6	194,639

	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 426,803
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Independent American Party primary election

The Independent American Party primary election was canceled. Tommy Williams advanced from the Independent American Party primary for Governor of Utah.

Libertarian primary election

The Libertarian primary election was canceled. J. Robert Latham advanced from the Libertarian primary for Governor of Utah.

Democratic convention

Democratic convention for Governor of Utah

Brian King advanced from the Democratic convention for Governor of Utah on April 27, 2024.

		Candidate
✔		Brian King (D)

	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Republican convention

Republican Convention for Governor of Utah

Select round:

The following candidates advanced in the ranked-choice voting election: Phil Lyman in round 2 . The results of Round are displayed below. To see the results of other rounds, use the dropdown menu above to select a round and the table will update.

	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source 1 Source 2 Source 3	Total votes: 3,759
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.

Independent American Party convention

Independent American Party convention for Governor of Utah

Tommy Williams advanced from the Independent American Party convention for Governor of Utah on April 27, 2024.

		Candidate
✔	Submit photo	Tommy Williams (Independent American Party)

	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Libertarian convention

Libertarian convention for Governor of Utah

J. Robert Latham advanced from the Libertarian convention for Governor of Utah on April 20, 2024.

		Candidate
✔		J. Robert Latham (L)

	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Endorsements

Ballotpedia did not identify endorsements for Cox in this election.