Gov. Spencer Cox's approval rating drops underwater for first time
August 24, 2026 at 4:17 AM MT · via KSL · Summarized by Mormon News from original reporting

Utah Gov. Spencer Cox's approval rating fell below 50% for the first time, with a majority of Utahns now disapproving of his performance, according to an August Deseret News/Hinckley Institute of Politics poll. The poll found statewide leaders received overall negative approval ratings, continuing a downward trend for Cox.
Cox, a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, was elected in 2020 and is seeking reelection in 2026. The poll did not specify which issues drove the decline, but Cox has faced criticism over state land-use decisions, tax policy, and responses to growth pressures in Utah's heavily Mormon electorate.
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