Utah Gov. Spencer Cox (R-UT) has explicitly ruled out seeking the presidency or vice presidency in 2028, stating in an interview with Deseret News that he is not running for any elected office. Cox made the remarks while promoting his upcoming book, Off Ramp: How to Be a Peacemaker in an Age of Contempt, scheduled for release on September 8.
Cox’s comments come as he seeks to distance his book’s message from speculation about his political ambitions. The governor emphasized that his focus remains on addressing political polarization and promoting civility, themes central to his public profile. In the aftermath of the September 2025 killing of conservative activist Charlie Kirk at Utah Valley University, Cox publicly urged Americans to reject violence as a means of resolving political disputes. While Cox confirmed his book was in development prior to Kirk’s assassination, he noted that the event reinforced its urgency.
The book outlines Cox’s governing philosophy and research on political depolarization, advocating for a shift toward respectful disagreement. Its promotional materials state, “As America approaches the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, it’s time to remember what makes America strong, and leave behind the behaviors and rhetoric that threaten to destroy us.”
Though Cox closed the door on a 2028 presidential or vice presidential bid, he left open the possibility of serving in a future administration, stating, “Consider serving in a Cabinet or something if no other person is elected. I would never say no just upfront to something like that.” He added that he remains committed to public service but requires time away from elected office.
Cox’s book draws from his experience in government and his long-standing advocacy for reducing political tensions. It includes reflections on what he considers the best and worst moments of his tenure, with the Kirk assassination serving as a defining episode. In post-assassination press conferences, Cox pleaded with Americans to find alternatives to violence, framing the incident as a symptom of a broader national crisis. He described the period as feeling “like a powder keg in the country.”
The book, published by Penguin Press, is presented as a 250-page blueprint for depolarization, blending Cox’s personal narrative with policy recommendations. Cox acknowledged the limitations of his approach, stating, “I don’t pretend that anything I say, or a book, is going to completely change the course of history or the polarization that’s happening here.” Instead, he expressed hope that readers would engage with his ideas and consider applying them in their own lives.