'Faith, family and community': Cox reflects on what makes Utah special in inaugural address

SALT LAKE CITY — Utah Gov. Spencer Cox credited everyday Utahns, families and communities for the state's success during his second inaugural address Wednesday, calling for the state to lead out on recognizing and exalting often unrecognized "social capital."

The Republican governor recounted his parents' divorce when he was 10 years old, recalling several members of his small Sanpete County community who rallied around him during his "troubled teenage years."

"For reasons that still remain unclear to me today, they sacrificed and fought for me, even when I didn't deserve it — and I mostly didn't deserve it," Cox told the several hundred politicians, officials and other state dignitaries from the stage of the Eccles Theater in Salt Lake City.

Cox spoke of several neighbors who welcomed him with open arms, a high school teacher who "challenged" and "inspired" him, church leaders who taught humility and leadership, and a Scout leader who made a "tremendous sacrifice" for Cox and others. Traveling the state as an adult, the governor said he has since learned his experience is not unique in the state.

"In a world where too many people celebrate and adore shallow 'influencers' whom they will never meet, the influence of these five Fairview couples never extended beyond the borders of our tiny little town. But oh did their influence run deep," he said. "They never asked, 'What can my community do for me?' They only asked, 'What can I do for my community?' They didn't just pursue happiness; they literally found it."

"Utahns are good people who don't just understand the importance of community, but live it every day," Lt. Gov. Deidre Henderson added.

Utah Supreme Court Chief Justice Matthew Durrant administered the oath of office to Cox after actor and singer Dallyn Vail Bayles performed "Bring Him Home," from the Broadway musical "Les Miserables" — a song the master of ceremonies said was meant to reflect the "shared hope for peace and joy in our Utah home."

First lady Abby Cox held the Bible as her husband pledged to "discharge the duties of my office with fidelity." The couple hugged, and Cox shook hands with Durrant.

Speaking to the audience after being sworn in, Cox summed up the secret to Utah's success in a few words: "Faith, family and community," qualities others are "desperately" trying to find.

"With marriage rates down worldwide, births at an all-time low, deaths of despair at an all-time high, and a sense of community vanishing across much of the western world, Utah must stand tall as that shining city on a hill," Cox said. "We must be different."

Although he has spent years in government as a state lawmaker, lieutenant governor and now top executive, Cox admitted that government institutions are incapable of addressing those problems. Instead, solutions should come from within families and communities.

"So, if you want to understand Utah's success, it really is this simple," he said. "Moms and dads, husbands and wives, brothers and sisters, friends and neighbors. There never has been nor will there ever be another replacement."

"Abby and I pledge to you our hands and our hearts — all that we are and all that we could ever hope to be," Cox continued. "And I have every assurance that we will succeed because I know that we are not alone. Now is the time to build. And now is the time to never forget what truly matters most. May God bless us all in this effort. And may God continue to bless the great state of Utah."

Cox won reelection in November and is starting his second term in the Governor's Mansion. He was sworn in privately at the Capitol on Monday. He, Lt. Gov. Deidre Henderson, and state Treasurer Marlo Oaks are entering a second term in office, while Attorney General Derek Brown and Auditor Tina Cannon are kicking off their first term.

Cox looks ahead to his second term

Speaking with reporters after being sworn in, Cox again addressed his agenda for the next four years, which he said will be driven by building and growth.

"Our focus will continue to be on affordability — energy affordability, housing affordability — things that are hurting a large majority of Utahns," he said.

The governor has repeatedly stressed the need for more housing to address growing real estate prices in the state and made building starter homes a key priority during the past year. Although Utah still has a long way to go to address the supply of available housing units, Cox is optimistic that progress can be made on the issue.

"It's about harnessing the market forces. That's the issue," he said. "That's what hasn't been happening. We need to unleash the market. That's what's struggling. That's what's holding things back. The market is there; it's often government regulation that prevents the housing from being built."

He said local support is key to housing reform since municipalities control zoning laws that can dictate what type of housing can be built, and where. Lawmakers are expected to address condo and townhome ownership during the upcoming legislative session, said Cox, who said he believes there are some "legal issues around condominiums" that are getting in the way of production.

The governor is also looking to work closely with the incoming Trump administration, after being at odds with President Joe Biden during most of the past four years. Cox is scheduled to attend a dinner at President-elect Donald Trump's Mar-a-Lago golf club in Palm Beach, Florida, Thursday night along with the majority of the other GOP governors across the country.

Given the chance, Cox said he plans to talk to the president-elect about energy reform — particularly nuclear permitting — and public lands. Public lands in the West are likely to remain an issue under Trump, who slashed the size of the Bears Ears and Grand Staircase-Escalante monuments in Utah during his first term. Those monuments have since been expanded by Biden.

Cox said the issue of monuments is one that will come up with the new administration but said he is looking for a permanent solution going forward.

"I don't love the ping-pong game that's going back and forth," he said. "That's not good for anybody, and it's not helpful. And so ultimately, we need the Supreme Court to decide some of these major issues."

Cox was first elected governor in 2020 and has long said that he would serve at most two terms, meaning the next four years as governor will be his last.

"One of the reasons I've said I'm not running again is so that you all hold me accountable," he said, "because what happens so often is that when people feel like no one else can do these jobs — like we're too important — then we start to make decisions and we start to be someone we're not. We start making every decision based on making sure I get to stay in office instead of just who I am?"

Although he has no plans to face the voters again in four years, Cox said not to expect much of a change in how he governs.

"I've always tried to be my authentic self. I'm not good at being someone else, and so I don't think you'll see many changes from me. I am who I am."

Contributing: Daniel Woodruff

Related topics