Utah Republicans Face Off in Last Gubernatorial Debate Ahead of Primary

Incumbent Gov. Spencer Cox and state Rep. Phil Lyman describe two different approaches to Utah’s government in a debate two weeks before primary election.

Incumbent Gov. Spencer Cox, left, shakes hands with Utah Rep. Phil Lyman after Utah's gubernatorial GOP primary debate in Salt Lake City on June 11, 2024. Isaac Hale/The Deseret News via AP, Pool

Gov. Spencer Cox and state Rep. Phil Lyman (R) hit the debate stage on June 11 ahead of Utah’s Republican gubernatorial primary.

The debate pitted an incumbent governor against a state legislator, giving both candidates a chance to highlight the strengths of their respective campaigns and policy positions two weeks before the June 25 primary.