ELECTIONS, POLITICS, & GOVERNMENT
Gov. Cox meeting with Gov. Ron DeSantis Friday, Senate President Stuart Adams holding fundraiser
Jul 20, 2023, 10:24 AM | Updated: 1:29 pm
FILE: Utah Gov. Spencer Cox speaks during the Utah Republican Party Organizing Convention at Utah Valley University in Orem on April 22, 2023. (Ryan Sun, Deseret News)
(Ryan Sun, Deseret News)
PLEASANT GROVE, Utah — Presidential candidate and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has a busy day when he comes to Utah on Friday. He’ll meet with Utah lawmakers on the steps of the Capitol, he’ll also meet with Utah Gov. Spencer Cox, and attend a fundraiser led by Senate President Stuart Adams, R-Layton.
The Governor’s spokeswoman confirmed to KSL NewsRadio that the two governors are meeting Friday afternoon, but didn’t elaborate on any specifics.
The fundraiser is being held in Pleasant Grove and will directly follow the campaign event Friday. Gov. Cox has been invited, according to Carolina Herrin who is the former vice chair of Utah County’s Republican Party. Herrin is assisting the DeSantis campaign during the visit.
It’s not known if Gov. Cox will attend. A request to DeSantis’ campaign has not been returned.
The fundraiser is also being hosted by Greg Cook, the founder of Utah-based essential oil company DoTerra.
Moving on from Trump
Pres. Adam’s said he wanted to help with DeSantis’ fundraising because he’s appreciated the instincts he saw in the Florida Governor during the COVID-19 pandemic, and believes DeSantis is the best candidate to reverse the policies of President Joe Biden around energy independence and lower inflation.
“Having gone through COVID-19 with him and noticing the economic outcomes that he’s been able to achieve in Florida, I believe there’s a lot of similarities between how he would govern and how we have governed in Utah,” Adams said.
As for DeSantis’ divisive rhetoric, Adams said he believes DeSantis is “misunderstood.”
“I think…he stands up [for what he believes in], and is maybe being misunderstood for tough rhetoric,” Adams said.
Both public and private donors have been invited to the Pleasant Grove fundraiser, which Herrin said will be a cookout, Pioneer Day-style event.
She also confirmed that other donors from out of state will be attending.
Related reading:
- Utah State Sen. Todd Weiler throws support behind DeSantis
- Ron DeSantis to announce 2024 presidential campaign Wednesday in conversation with Elon Musk
- Cox launches ‘Disagree Better’ Initiative at governors conference
