Governor Spencer Cox of Utah successfully won the primary election on Tuesday, beating State Representative Phil Lyman, who had the support of the state Republican Party. Despite facing criticism from within his party for not being conservative enough, Governor Cox emerged victorious.
Governor Cox, considered a moderate within the Republican Party, has been vocal in his criticism of former President Donald J. Trump and has not endorsed him for a potential third presidential run. This stance has led to tensions within the party, as evidenced by the lack of endorsement at the state GOP convention earlier this year.
Despite these challenges, Governor Cox remains popular among the people of Utah, increasing the likelihood of securing a second term. The Republican Party has held the governorship in Utah since 1985, and Governor Cox’s nomination positions him well for the upcoming November election.
In the general election, Governor Cox will face off against State Representative Brian King, the Democratic nominee and former minority leader of the State House. While Mr. Lyman, known for his controversial ATV protest in 2014, emphasized his support for former President Trump during his campaign, the former president did not publicly endorse him in the governor’s race.
Governor Cox’s victory in the primary reflects his ability to connect with voters and maintain his popularity despite internal party divisions. As the election season progresses, Utahns will closely watch the race between Governor Cox and Representative King to determine the future leadership of their state.