Spencer Cox (politician)

Spencer Cox
8th Lieutenant Governor of Utah
Incumbent
Assumed office
October 16, 2013
Governor Gary Herbert
Preceded by Greg Bell
Member of the Utah House of Representatives
from the 58th district
In office
January 1, 2013 – October 16, 2013
Preceded by Stephen Sandstrom
Succeeded by Jon Cox
Personal details
Born July 11, 1975
Ferdinand, Indiana, U.S.
Political party Republican
Spouse(s) Abby
Children 4
Alma mater Snow College
Utah State University
Washington and Lee University
Religion Mormonism

Spencer J. Cox (born July 11, 1975) is an American lawyer and politician from the state of Utah. A member of the Republican Party, Cox is the Lieutenant Governor of Utah.

Cox began his political career as a city councilor for Fairview, Utah, and he next served as its mayor. He was elected as a Sanpete County commissioner in 2008, and to the Utah House of Representatives, representing the 58th district, in 2012. Gary Herbert, the Governor of Utah, selected Cox to replace Greg Bell as Lieutenant Governor of Utah in October 2013.

Early life and career

Cox graduated from North Sanpete High School in Mount Pleasant, Utah. He enrolled at Snow College, and completed a mission to Mexico while he was a student. After graduating from Snow College with an Associate's degree, he attended Utah State University (USU), where he obtained his Bachelor's degree.[1] At USU, Cox was named the Student of the Year, and graduated with a 4.0 grade point average. Accepted to Harvard Law School, Cox instead opted to enroll at the Washington and Lee University School of Law, where he received his juris doctor.[1][2]

After law school, Cox became a law clerk for Ted Stewart of the United States District Court for the District of Utah. Following his clerkship, Cox joined Fabian and Clendenin, a Salt Lake City law firm. Cox then decided to return to rural Utah. He became a vice president of CentraCom.[1][3]

Political career

Cox was appointed as a city councilor of Fairview, Utah.[2] The next year, he was elected mayor. In 2008, he was elected as a county commissioner of Sanpete County.[1]

Cox was elected to the Utah House of Representatives in district 58 in the 2012 elections. Despite being a freshman, Cox became the first member of the Utah House to call for the impeachment of John Swallow, the Attorney General of Utah, over violations of laws governing campaign finance.[4] Cox and Greg Bell, the Lieutenant Governor of Utah, served as co-chairs of Governor Gary Herbert's Rural Partnership Board.[5]

In October 2013, Herbert selected Cox to succeed Bell as Lieutenant Governor, following Bell's resignation.[5] His nomination was approved unanimously by the Utah Senate Government Operations Confirmation Committee on October 15.[6] The next day, he was confirmed unanimously by the full Utah Senate and sworn in as Lieutenant Governor.[7]

As lieutenant governor, Cox's office produced a report on Swallow's financial interests, demonstrating that Swallow failed to properly disclose all of his income and business interests. Swallow resigned before the release of the report.[8]

Personal

Cox is the oldest of eight children, and grew up on his family farm in Fairview.[1] He and his wife, Abby, have four children.[2] Cox's father, Eddie, serves on the Utah Transportation Commission, and was a county commissioner for Utah County.[6]

Cox plays bass guitar in a garage band.[4][6] His brother-in-law, Travis Osmond, the son of Merrill Osmond, taught him how to play the bass.[9] State Representative Mike McKell is also a brother-in-law.[1] His fourth cousin, Jon Cox, succeeded him in the Utah House of Representatives.[10]

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 Gehrke, Robert (October 15, 2013). "How Cox rose from farm boy to lieutenant-governor-in-waiting". The Salt Lake Tribune. Retrieved October 16, 2013.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Wells, David (October 8, 2013). "Utah’s new Lt. Governor announced". FOX13Now.com. Retrieved October 13, 2013.
  3. ↑ Robinson, Doug (June 29, 2014). "Spencer Cox: The lieutenant governor who almost said no". Deseret News. Retrieved August 6, 2014.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 Gehrke, Robert (October 8, 2013). "Herbert picks state Rep. Spencer Cox as new lieutenant governor". The Salt Lake Tribune. Retrieved October 14, 2013.
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 Roche, Lisa Riley (October 8, 2013). "Gov. Herbert names Rep. Spencer Cox new lieutenant governor". Deseret News. Retrieved October 16, 2013.
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 Roche, Lisa Riley (October 15, 2013). "Lt. gov. pick Spencer Cox wins unanimous approval from confirmation committee". Deseret News. Retrieved October 16, 2013.
  7. ↑ Roche, Lisa Riley (October 16, 2013). "'Shocked' Spencer Cox sworn in as new lieutenant governor". Deseret News. Retrieved October 16, 2013.
  8. ↑ Gehrke, Robert (November 22, 2013). "Swallow resigns, proclaiming innocence: 'Time for the madness to stop'". The Salt Lake Tribune. Retrieved September 21, 2014.
  9. ↑ Clark, Antone (October 15, 2013). "Cox expected to take office as lieutenant governor". Standard-Examiner. Retrieved October 16, 2013.
  10. ↑ Romboy, Dennis (November 8, 2013). "GOP names Utah House replacement for Spencer Cox — his fourth cousin". Deseret News. Retrieved November 9, 2013.

External links

Political offices
Preceded by
Greg Bell		 Lieutenant Governor of Utah
2013–present 		Incumbent