SALT LAKE CITY, Utah (ABC4 News) – The Associated Press is projecting that Utah’s next Governor is Spencer Cox.
The campaign received national recognition for being civil, with the two even appearing in PSA’s together to talk about civil discourse in a campaign.
Cox took to social media Tuesday night sharing his thoughts.
Chris Peterson released the following statement to concede to Lt. Gov. Cox:
I want to thank my family, staff, volunteers, and all of my supporters from the bottom of my heart. Traveling around this state, hearing Utahns’ stories, and standing up for working families during this campaign has been an honor.
I’m proud that we ran an ethical race focused on policy issues. This campaign was about building a new beginning for the Democratic Party in Utah. My name was on the ballot, but this was never about me. It was about fighting to make a positive difference in the daily lives of working people.
I also want to thank my lieutenant governor running mate Karina Brown. She has been an inspiration to me and to Utahns across the state.
I thank my opponent, Lieutenant Governor Cox, for running a respectful campaign, and I wish him the very best in leading our state towards a brighter future.
Spencer Cox ran on a platform with the issues being: restoring the economy, transforming the education system, standing by the 2nd Amendment, restoring Utah’s values of civility and service, defending the Constitution, supporting and strengthening Utah’s families, return power to State Governments, making corporate tax incentives work harder for Utah’s, creating the right kinds of jobs, managing Utah’s public lands fairly, protecting the right to life, giving rural Utah a voice and making the state work better for taxpayers.
Spencer Cox has been Utah’s Lt Governor for the last 7 years. He was selected by Governor Gary Herbert to replace Lt. Governor Gary Bell in 2013 and won reelection with Governor Herbert in 2016.
He is from Mt. Pleasant in Sanpete County.
His public service began after he was appointed to fill a vacancy on the City Council. He then was elected Mayor of Fairview. He served as a county commissioner beginning in 2008. After serving four years, he was elected to the Utah House of Representatives in 2012. According to the State website, He sponsored bills that championed STEM education, same-day voter registration, and water pollution.
Governor-elect Cox and his wife have four children and still have a home in Fairview. He enjoys spending time working on his family’s farm, tweeting about the Utah Jazz, and he plays bass with his brother in a rock band.
