Gov. Cox after Utah's blue wave: "We need to listen more"
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Photo illustration: Brendan Lynch/Axios. Photo: Office of Gov. Spencer Cox
Utah Gov. Spencer Cox (R) reflected on the state's blue wave Monday, saying the results so far send a clear message that elected officials "need to listen more" to voters.
The big picture: The rising cost of living and lack of local input on the proposed massive data center in Box Elder County have been top of mind for many voters.
By the numbers: If current numbers hold, Democrats are expected to flip more than a dozen seats in the Utah House, demolishing the GOP's supermajority in the chamber for the first time in more than 30 years.
- The election also ousted Senate Majority Leader Kirk Cullimore, a top contender for Senate president, who was defeated by Democrat Shana Anderson, a U.S. Army veteran.
What they're saying: "When you see this kind of political change in legislative districts across our state, I believe we have an obligation to look closely," Cox told reporters during his monthly news conference.
- Cox said Utah voters have expressed anxiety about the cost of housing, growth and development, including data centers, and government transparency.
- "These are valid concerns and they deserve real answers," he said.
Case in point: Cox also pointed to a controversial bill passed last year that sought to ban collective bargaining for public sector employees amid widespread opposition from teachers, firefighters and police officers.
Yes, but: Cox signed the bill, expressing disappointment that state lawmakers had not reached a compromise with labor unions.
- Cox said he told state lawmakers he received more calls about the bill than any other during his time as governor, but "they still pushed it through."
- Labor unions launched a successful referendum effort to place the issue on the 2026 ballot in an effort to overturn the law.
- Before voters could weigh in, the Utah Legislature convened in a special session and repealed it last December.
The big picture: Utah voters named housing affordability and politicians' failure to listen to constituents as the two top issues in a 2024 report by the Utah Foundation.
What we're watching: Cox said he expects the Utah House losing its veto-proof majority to lead to a more collaborative policy-making process.
- "I think this is going to be a different kind of session than what we've seen in the past," he said.