Spencer Cox is the Governor of Utah. He assumed office on January 4, 2021. His current term ends on January 1, 2029. Cox was born in July 1975 and grew up on a farm in Fairview, Utah. He earned an associate degree from Snow College in 1996, a bachelor's degree in political science from Utah State University in 1998, and a law degree from Washington and Lee University School of Law in 2001. After graduating, he moved back to the family farm in Fairview, where he served as a city councilor, mayor, and county commissioner. From 2003 to 2013, he also worked as the vice president and general counsel for CentraCom Interactive. Cox was elected to represent Utah House District 58 in 2012. In 2013, then-Gov. Gary Herbert nominated Cox as lieutenant governor, a position Cox held until he became governor in 2021. Deseret News' Lisa Riley Roche wrote at the time, "Gov. Gary Herbert surprised just about everyone Tuesday by naming a relatively unknown freshman in the state House, Rep. Spencer Cox, R-Fairview, to replace Lt. Gov. Greg Bell." Herbert said Cox's optimism, brightness, and local government and academic experience were reasons for the appointment.
