Posted on 09/13/2025 2:57:27 PM PDT by DoodleBob
Utah Gov. Spencer Cox (R) has gained widespread attention for his remarks on the fatal shooting of conservative activist Charlie Kirk.
The Republican has called the violent incident on the campus of Utah Valley University “an attack not just on an individual but on democratic principles.”
Cox also gained traction after telling reporters he was “praying” Kirk’s alleged shooter would be from out-of-state or not a U.S. citizen.
“For 33 hours, I was praying that if this had to happen here, that it wouldn’t be one of us — that somebody drove from another state, somebody came from another country… Sadly, that prayer was not answered the way I hoped for,” Cox said on Friday.
“This cuts to the very foundation of who we are,” he later added.
The Utah governor has spent years in local and state politics warranting an array of responses to federal emergencies and critical political events.
Here’s what else you should know about Cox.
Cox previously condemned the first administration of President Trump, alleging the leader incited divisive views that further separated a fractured nation.
“We care a lot about decorum. We care about our neighbors. We are a good, kind people,” Cox told CBS News in 2016, after endorsing Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s presidential bid.
“He [Trump] does not represent neither goodness nor kindness,” Cox added.
In 2024, Cox endorsed Trump after an assassination attempt on the leader’s life.
“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,” the Utah governor wrote in a letter to Trump, who was on the campaign trail.
Cox said he intended to help the leader resolve political tensions across the country.
“My commitment to him is I would help him try to lower the temperature in this country,” he told Fox 13.
The Utah governor is in his second term as the state’s leader. From 2023-24, Cox served as chairman of the National Governors’ Association, further fueling his connection to counterparts in neighboring states.
The Utah native has also previously served as a city councilmember, mayor, county commissioner and state legislator before serving as Utah’s lieutenant governor in 2013. Cox was first sworn in as governor on Jan. 4, 2021.
Policy views
Cox is a fiscal conservative who earned recognition from state lawmakers for cutting $1.1 billion in taxes during his first term in office.
Under his leadership, Utah became the 17th state to enact a constitutional carry law, permitting individuals to carry a firearm in public without a permit, in 2021.
Cox is pro-life and a strong advocate for the Second Amendment.
He’s anti - Trump.
He’s a fake.
Gov. Cox has been an outstanding leader through aftermath of the Charlie Kirk assassination.
Mr. Cox apparently does not represent adequate primary school English grammar education.
https://www.oann.com/newsroom/utah-governor-cox-endorses-trump-in-reversal/
He’s a bad Anti-Trumper.
I read that Charlie Kirk had been very critical of him in the past (as a RINO).
Indeed, he’s the ONLY official on the ground inspiring any sort of confidence.
At this presser - https://freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/4339881/posts - Kash Patel stood there like the silent dope, while Gov Cox ran the thing masterfully.
Maybe he was anti-Trump before he endorsed Donald. Maybe a bunch of other things. But right now, he’s the man.
Credit where credit is due.
These squishes are ok in the statehouse. He responded very well to the assassination. Showed leadership. Kinda had to. At least he didn’t do what a rat would do.
Not really, he is learning. He is a target of the SOCIALIST WING of the dems and they would love to replace him with one of theirs.
This morning Steve Bannon called him the worst RINO in the world.
I take his word for it because I read Cox’s weasel worded veto of the state trans bill back in 2022.
He’s got at talent for glibness that Patel lacks, I’ll give him that.
Actually, he hasn't.
He's made numerous statements that he has not authority or right to make, concerning law enforcement details of the case.
He just wants everything to go away.
Don't forget - he has zero issue allowing guys in women's sports. He alone vetoed a bill to ban it.
He's a stinking skunk.
He was also threatening publicly to write in somebody other than Trump when it was suggested that supporters of his opponent who narrowly lost the primary could get a lot more people to write-in their guy in November.
He looks like someone who stares at young children a little too intently.
I love how all the brave keyboard warriors with all kinds of executive experience (ya know, they’re prolly CEOs in real life..) on this thread know EXACTLY how to respond in a crisis situation like this one.
I bet the same Cox-haters were calling Giuliani a gay-loving, gun-controlling RINO on the morning of 9/11, and for part of 9/12.
This who can, do. This who can’t, type.
Time will tell.
Those who can, do. Those who can’t, type.
Like Brian Kemp. I am aware of the controversy around him. But he was good on covid. And he opened up GA. Then DeSantis followed him.
Agreed…so far, very good.
Cox is miles better than everyone else, and definitely way ahead of the media and Dem Govs like JB Pritzker; https://freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/4339650/posts
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.