A few months ago, Utah Governor Spencer Cox was one of the few prominent Republicans who consistently kept his distance from Donald Trump. Cox, who values unity and respect, did not vote for Trump in 2016 or 2020 and stated in July that he would not support him this year. He cited Trump’s role in the January 6, 2021, Capitol riot as crossing the line.
However, after an assassination attempt on Trump at a Pennsylvania rally, Cox changed his stance. He sent a letter to Trump explaining that Trump’s defiant response to the shooting led him to reassess and switch his position. Cox’s sudden change surprised political observers, as he had built a reputation as a moderate, similar to Utah Senator Mitt Romney.
In his letter, Cox expressed hope that Trump could unite the country and pledged his support, despite their differences. Trump has not endorsed Cox for reelection, and their relationship came under scrutiny again when Cox used a graveside photo with Trump in a campaign fundraising email, violating rules at Arlington National Cemetery. Cox’s campaign quickly apologized, while Trump’s team claimed they had permission to film.
This situation highlights the contrast in their political styles and raises questions about Cox’s decision to align with Trump. Some Utah moderates, who previously supported Cox, are disappointed by his decision. For instance, Kyle Douglas from Orem expressed his loss of trust in Cox, and Lucy Wright from Provo criticized Cox’s association with Trump.
Cox’s alignment with Trump risks alienating his moderate base without gaining significant support from Trump’s followers, many of whom booed him at the state GOP convention. While aligning with Trump has boosted some Republicans’ profiles, Trump’s influence in Utah remains limited due to his divisive rhetoric, which conflicts with the values of many members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Despite the risks, Cox believes his support for Trump could help him have a broader influence within the Republican Party. Though Cox has not expressed a desire to run for national office, he has worked to raise his profile, including chairing the National Governors Association with a focus on restoring civility in politics.
Cox’s endorsement of Trump followed his primary victory over Trump supporter Phil Lyman, who encouraged his followers to write in his name instead of voting for Cox. Cox is expected to win the upcoming election, but his alignment with Trump has left some of his supporters questioning his values.