Utah Gov. Spencer Cox Faces Criticism from GOP and Prepares to Defend Record in Tuesday Debate

Utah Governor Spencer Cox is gearing up for a primary debate against his challenger on Tuesday following a defeat at the state GOP convention. At the convention, Cox faced loud boos from delegates who criticized him for being too moderate to represent the state.

Despite not securing the party’s nomination, Cox remains the favorite among Republican voters in Utah. The convention endorsed his challenger Phil Lyman, a former county commissioner turned state legislator.

Cox had already qualified for the primary election by gathering signatures prior to the convention. He is now focused on communicating his message to voters without interruptions after addressing the negative reception from delegates.

The winner of the Republican primary will go up against Democratic nominee Brian King, a state representative, in November. The GOP candidate is expected to win in a state that has not had a Democratic governor since 1985.

Republican primary debates in Utah are ongoing this week, with candidates for the state’s attorney general position also meeting for debates. The competition for congressional seats and the seat of retiring Senator Mitt Romney are heating up as well.

Cox’s socially conscious conservatism has led to disagreements with Republican leaders since taking office in 2021. While he has urged bipartisan cooperation, he has also faced criticism from LGBTQ+ advocates for certain policy decisions.

His challenger, Phil Lyman, gained attention for organizing an illegal ATV ride in protest of a federal land decision. Despite facing jail time for the protest, Lyman was later pardoned by former President Trump in 2020.

As the election season progresses, Cox and Lyman are at odds over key issues, with both candidates vying for support in Utah’s upcoming primary.