{"id":2652444,"date":"2026-08-31T15:59:02","date_gmt":"2026-08-31T19:59:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/utah-gov-spencer-cox-ends-rumors-of-2028-bid-with-new-book\/"},"modified":"2026-08-31T16:00:01","modified_gmt":"2026-08-31T20:00:01","slug":"utah-gov-spencer-cox-ends-rumors-of-2028-bid-with-new-book","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/utah-gov-spencer-cox-ends-rumors-of-2028-bid-with-new-book\/","title":{"rendered":"Utah Gov. Spencer Cox ends rumors of 2028 bid with new book"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"&quot;\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">24<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Futah-gov-spencer-cox-ends-rumors-of-2028-bid-with-new-book%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2652444&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>Gov. Spencer Cox (R-UT) has clarified that he will not be running for president, vice president, or any other elected office in 2028.He emphasized his focus on promoting his new book, &#8220;Off ramp: How to Be a Peacemaker in an age of Contempt,&#8221; which advocates for <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3YuVZYV\" >de-escalating political disagreements<\/a> and fostering civility. Cox&#8217;s decision came amid widespread speculation about potential presidential candidates and follows his rise to national prominence after the 2025 killing of activist Charlie Kirk, which prompted him to advocate for reducing political violence and polarization. While he rules out pursuing national office in the near future, Cox mentioned the possibility of serving in a future government role, like a Cabinet position, if the chance arises. He highlighted his dedication to his family and the challenges politics can bring. Several Democratic and Republican figures are considering or promoting their profiles for the 2028 race, but Cox remains firm in stepping away from electoral ambitions for now.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<article class=\"fn-body\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Gov. Spencer Cox (R-UT) is putting to rest speculation that he could seek the presidency in <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/2028-elections\/\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/2028-elections\/\">2028<\/a>, saying he is not running for president, vice president, or any other elected office as he promotes a new book urging people to de-escalate political disagreements.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cI\u2019m not running for president or vice president or anything else. I\u2019m not running for anything,\u201d\u00a0Cox <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/Deseret\/status\/2094468058052276323?s=20\">said<\/a> in an interview with <em>Deseret News<\/em>. \u201cI do think that that\u2019s important, both because it\u2019s true I\u2019m not, and, two, because I don\u2019t want people to read the book through that lens.\u201d<\/p>\n<section class=\"explore-more-section\" id=\"wex-recommended-widget\">\n<div class=\"magazine-container single\">\n<h1 class=\"magazine-title mt-2\">Recommended Stories<\/h1>\n<p>             <i class=\"fa-solid fa-play icon\"><\/i>         <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-grid\">\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/presidential\/4706609\/spencer-cox-2028-presidential-run-new-book\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>Utah Gov. Spencer Cox puts an end to rumors of a 2028 presidential run with new book<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/presidential\/4705567\/rahm-emanuel-socialists-democratic-party-tent\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>Rahm Emanuel shuts socialists out of Democratic tent: \u2018Run as a separate party\u2019<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/presidential\/4705537\/ted-cruz-2028-president-white-house-run\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>Ted Cruz says \u2018there will be a time\u2019 to decide on 2028 White House run<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Cox, who rose to national prominence following the September 2025 killing of conservative activist <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/charlie-kirk\/\" data-type=\"post_tag\" data-id=\"4089\">Charlie Kirk<\/a> at Utah Valley University, has made <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/political-polarization\/\" data-type=\"post_tag\" data-id=\"231\">political polarization<\/a> and civility a central focus of his public profile.<\/p>\n<div class=\"wex-inarticle-ad wex-inarticle-ad-art-dsk-inart-1\">\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap wex-ad-art-dsk-inart-1\" style=\"min-height:90px\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" hidden>Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-15\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-1\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In the aftermath of Kirk\u2019s killing, Cox pleaded with people to stop \u201cshooting each other\u201d as a means of settling political disagreements. Cox said his book was already in the works before the shooting, but that the assassination reinforced the urgency of its message.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The book draws on Cox\u2019s experience in government and research on political depolarization to make the case for people to \u201cdisagree better\u201d and restore respect for political opponents.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cAs America approaches the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, it\u2019s time to remember what makes America strong, and leave behind the behaviors and rhetoric that threaten to destroy us,\u201d the book\u2019s <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.penguinrandomhouse.com\/books\/827061\/off-ramp-by-spencer-cox-foreword-by-jonathan-haidt\/\">website<\/a> says.<\/p>\n<div class=\"wex-inarticle-ad wex-inarticle-ad-art-dsk-inart-2\">\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap wex-ad-art-dsk-inart-2\" style=\"min-height:90px\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" hidden>Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-16\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-2\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The book, titled <em>Off Ramp: How to Be a Peacemaker in an Age of Contempt<\/em>, is set to go on sale Sept. 8.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">While Cox ruled out a presidential or vice presidential campaign in 2028, he left open the possibility of serving in a future administration.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cConsider serving in a Cabinet or something if no other person is elected. I would never say no just upfront to something like that,\u201d Cox said. \u201cIf there was an opportunity to serve and give back, I care deeply about our country. I\u2019m not going away, but I\u2019m not running for office, and I need a little time away from that for the very reasons that I wrote the book.\u201d<\/p>\n<div class=\"wex-inarticle-ad wex-inarticle-ad-art-dsk-inart-3\">\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap wex-ad-art-dsk-inart-3\" style=\"min-height:90px\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" hidden>Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-17\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-3\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cPolitics is hard, and it\u2019s hard on my family. I care much more about my family than I care about politics,\u201d Cox added.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Cox\u2019s decision comes as speculation builds over the 2028 presidential race. Several possible Democratic contenders, including Govs.<a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/gavin-newsom\/\" data-type=\"post_tag\" data-id=\"1426\"> Gavin Newsom<\/a> (CA), <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/josh-shapiro\/\" data-type=\"post_tag\" data-id=\"5122\">Josh Shapiro<\/a> (PA), and <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/andy-beshear\/\" data-type=\"post_tag\" data-id=\"8307\">Andy Beshear<\/a> (KY), have released books as they build national profiles, though when asked about a presidential campaign, each has said the focus remains on the <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/2026-election\/\" data-type=\"post_tag\" data-id=\"11675\">2026 midterm elections<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">On the Republican side, Vice President <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/jd-vance\/\" data-type=\"post_tag\" data-id=\"7658\">JD Vance<\/a> and Secretary of State <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/marco-rubio\/\" data-type=\"post_tag\" data-id=\"51\">Marco Rubio <\/a>are among the names frequently discussed as possible 2028 contenders. President <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/donald-trump\/\" data-type=\"post_tag\" data-id=\"4\">Donald Trump<\/a> has praised both men and has described them together as a \u201cdream team\u201d without yet formally endorsing either for president.<\/p>\n<div class=\"wex-inarticle-ad wex-inarticle-ad-art-dsk-inart-4\">\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap wex-ad-art-dsk-inart-4\" style=\"min-height:90px\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" hidden>Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-25\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-4\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/4677479\/democratic-party-big-tent-messaging-ideological-differences-2026-elections\/\">DEMOCRATS FROM OPPOSITE SIDES OF PARTY ALL RALLY BEHIND \u2018BIG TENT\u2019<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For now, Cox signaled he is stepping away from electoral politics.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cI care deeply about our country. I\u2019m not going away, but I\u2019m not running for office,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n<div class=\"wex-inarticle-ad wex-inarticle-ad-art-dsk-inart-5\">\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap wex-ad-art-dsk-inart-5\" style=\"min-height:90px\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" hidden>Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-26\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-5\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Cox denies 2028 run, promotes book on political civility<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4195,"featured_media":2652445,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/AP26050543080743.jpg?w=696","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[],"tags":[41461,84938,75101],"class_list":["post-2652444","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","tag-2028-election","tag-spencer-cox","tag-utah-politics"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/AP26050543080743.jpg?w=696","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2652444","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4195"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2652444"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2652444\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2652448,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2652444\/revisions\/2652448"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2652445"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2652444"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2652444"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2652444"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}