Spencer J. Cox

Gov. Spencer J. Cox is a husband, father, farmer, recovering attorney, and Utah’s 18th governor. 

Since taking the oath of office on Jan. 4, 2021, Gov. Cox has secured funds for affordable housing, promoted suicide prevention and mental health resources and implemented water conservation and infrastructure planning. He also signed early education and workforce program funding, launched the new Utah Sustainable Health Collaborative, and expanded opportunity for women, diverse communities and those living in rural parts of the state. 

His efforts have contributed to Utah’s unprecedented prosperity during the COVID-19 pandemic and a historic drought. Focused on a One Utah vision, Gov. Cox advocates for civility and respect, works across party lines to find common sense solutions, and regularly participates in service projects. 

A sixth-generation Utahn, Gov. Cox was born and raised in Fairview, a town of 1,200 in the center of the state. He met First Lady Abby Palmer Cox at age 16 and they married after he returned from serving a church mission in Mexico. He attended Snow College, Utah State University, and the Washington and Lee University School of Law, then clerked for U.S. District Judge Ted Stewart and worked at a Salt Lake City law firm. 

After moving back to Fairview to raise his four children – Gavin, Kaleb, Adam, and EmmaKate – Gov. Cox began his life of public service, serving as a city councilman, mayor, county commissioner, and state legislator before being appointed to serve as Utah’s lieutenant governor in 2013.