I’ve never voted Republican for governor — and that goes back to the days of Cal Rampton.
I considered voting for John Huntsman, a moderate man, and I looked favorably at Olene Walker, but then her own party shot her down.
In 2013, when Gary Herbert chose Spencer Cox as his lieutenant governor, I was amazed. Cox was young, newly elected to the Legislature from Fairfield (where?) and totally unknown. When he became governor in 2021, I was ready to listen, and for three plus years, he governed from the right/middle! I had hope.
He spoke positively about equality for minorities and LGBT folks, and climate issues and public education and civil civic dialogue and saving the lake. Almost like a Democrat would!
And then, as the election of 2024 approached and the Legislature broke out into its increasingly Trumpist self, Cox became more a candidate than a governor. He slid right, toward the reactionary, right-wing base of his party. Too bad.
For one bright, shining moment, Utah had a chance to help lead the Republican Party back toward a rational center/right position. But it appears that we missed our chance. More like Texas? More like Florida? Utah turns MAGA? How sad. You sold out, Mr. Cox.
J. C. Smith, St. George
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