XX unexpectedly wins primary election in Utah.
Spencer Cox, the incumbent governor of Utah, emerged victorious in a hard-fought battle for the GOP nomination in Utah’s governor’s race, defeating challenger Phil Lyman in a surprising primary contest that garnered national attention.
Lyman, a staunch supporter of former President Donald Trump, challenged Cox despite the governor’s popularity in the state. Many conservative members of the Utah Republican Party were disenchanted with Cox due to his vetoes of conservative legislation and his lukewarm support for Trump.
Lyman, who was granted a pardon by Trump in 2020 following a misdemeanor conviction related to protesting the federal closure of Recapture Canyon to offload vehicles, campaigned on a platform of tax cuts, education reforms, and immigration reforms.
Despite Lyman’s efforts, recent polls indicated a significant lead for Cox, with the incumbent enjoying strong support from voters across the state.
Cox, who represents the more moderate faction of the Republican Party in Utah, caused further discontent among GOP delegates by collecting the 28,000 signatures required to appear on the ballot, bypassing the traditional convention process. This tactic, previously employed by former Governor Gary Herbert, allowed Herbert to secure the nomination and win the general election handily.
Looking ahead, Cox will now face Democratic State Representative Brian King in the November general election. King won his party’s nomination for the gubernatorial race in April but faces a tough challenge in a state that has consistently favored Republican governors since 1985.
Despite the uphill battle for King, the race promises to be competitive and closely watched as Utah voters decide the future direction of their state leadership.
