Gov. Cox forced into primary at convention, criticizes caucus-convention system

SALT LAKE CITY — Gov. Spencer Cox, who lost at the GOP convention, criticized the Utah Republican Party’s caucus-convention system during a speech Saturday.

Cox’s speech drew many boos and some cheers. He lost at convention 2-to-1 but will appear on the June primary ballot. 

The difference in crowd reaction was palpable between Cox and his rival, State Rep. Phil Lyman, R-Blanding.

Loudly booed, @GovCox loses Utah’s GOP Convention with @phil_lyman receiving 67.54% of the vote!

TAKE BACK YOUR RED STATE UTAH!
Phil Lyman for Governor!#utleg #utpol #GOP pic.twitter.com/0GNGSZjzJb

— EMBER 🇺🇸 (@upliftandlift) April 27, 2024

Criticism of the Republicans’ caucus-convention system

Cox thanked his supporters for showing up. Then, he tied the jeers against him to a larger criticism of the state’s caucus-convention system.

“[Critics] are telling us the caucus-convention system has been hijacked by extremists who don’t represent the real Republicans in our state,” said Cox. “And I hope we’re not giving them more ammunition today.”

“I am so proud to be welcomed here today the same way you would welcome lots of Republican governors over the years,” said Cox. “Governor [Gary] Herbert got booed here and lost by ten points but won by forty points in the Republican primary. Governor [Mike] Leavitt got booed here, lost in convention, won in the primary.”

A lot will written about the caucus system and what happened at the state convention today. You be the judge.

Is this the best interview process for candidates hoping to solve real issues facing our state and nation? pic.twitter.com/DyIf4HsARB

— Mike McKell (@mikemckellutah) April 28, 2024

According to KSL.com, Herbert won just 44% of the vote in convention before winning the primary with 72% of the votes in 2016.

Cox pointed to his conservative credentials, including what he called, “the biggest tax cut in Utah history” and constitutional carry of firearms.

As for the reason behind the boos, he said, “Maybe it’s something much more simple. Maybe you just hate that I don’t hate enough.”

Lyman, asked the crowd whether they “felt the big tax cut.”

Delegates yelled out, “No.”

“What about the 55% increase in property taxes over the last 3 years–have you felt that?” Lyman asked.

Delegates shouted “yes” in response to Lyman’s final question.

.@phil_lyman comes back on stage to lots of cheers, asks delegates if they’ve felt the “big tax cut.” They shout “no.” He asks if delegates have felt property tax increases, they shout “yes!” #utpol

“You’re being fed a lie about tax cuts,” he says pic.twitter.com/WkJ8x62PBB

— Katie McKellar (@KatieMcKellar1) April 27, 2024

Convention results

Lyman won the convention election with 67.5% of the vote. However, Cox has already qualified for the June primary ballot by gathering signatures.

It was a difficult night for incumbents.

Related: Utah Republican legislative candidates advance out of state convention

Rep. Celeste Maloy lost to a challenger supported by Sen. Mike Lee, R-Utah, but she still managed to advance to the primary ballot because she earned over 40% of the vote, according to KSL.com.

The state school board chairman lost overwhelmingly, winning over only 25% of delegates, according to the Deseret News.

Former President Donald Trump endorsed Riverton Mayor Trent Staggs just hours before the convention.

Staggs proceeded to double the votes of his nearest competition in all four rounds of Senate voting.

He ultimately beat out well-known Rep. John Curtis, earning 69.74% of votes to Curtis’s 30.26%.

The primary election takes place on June 25.