Utah’s Republican governor revealed he has not voted “for the top of the ticket” in elections since 2012 and has no plans to vote for former President Donald Trump in November.

Utah Gov. Spencer Cox told CNN’s Kaitlan Collins that he stands behind the Republican Party and its platform but divulged that Trump was not his first choice in 2020 and will not be in 2024 either.

“Are you supporting the top of your ticket in November? Are you supporting Donald Trump?” Collins asked the governor.

“Yeah, so I’ve said before, I haven’t voted for the top of the ticket since 2012. I’ve certainly had my concerns, one of those is what happened on January 6th,” Cox replied.

Utah Gov. Cox (“R”) who put his pronouns in his bio says he wants his party to win but won’t be voting for Trump. pic.twitter.com/umtQeEFlTj

— Libs of TikTok (@libsoftiktok) July 11, 2024

“I’m hopeful, I want my party to win. They chose a candidate this time around that was not my first choice,” he said, though the Republican Party will be selecting the nominee at the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, which kicks off on July 15.

“Wasn’t my choice last time, either. But the party’s spoken and that’s who they have chosen. And so, I’ve said I’m not going to vote for either presidential candidate this year. I’ll write somebody in, as I’ve done in the past, but I am supportive. I do want Donald Trump to succeed. I want my party to win,” Cox added in head-scratching logic.

“We desperately need the right people in the right positions. I’m very anxious for who he picks as vice president. That’s going to make a big difference, I think. Certainly for me,” Cox continued.

“I believe in governors. I think that [North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum] is an incredible leader. I think he’s somebody who could actually help to unite the party and lead us into November with President Trump. And that’s something we’ll be watching very closely if an announcement comes soon. I guess potentially on Monday,” he added.

Earlier this year, the governor had predicted that Trump would win the election in November.

“I do think that President Trump is going to win the general election, and I will work very closely with him — I look forward to working closely with him,” Cox said at a news conference in February.

Phil Lyman, Utah congressman and gubernatorial candidate, reminded voters that he has stood behind Trump all along.

I will be voting for @realDonaldTrump, the Republican Nominee.
Just like I did in 2016 and 2020. pic.twitter.com/ZXfOTYXTd5

— Phil Lyman for Governor (@phil_lyman) July 11, 2024

Social Media users did not appreciate Cox’s sentiment and called him out on X.

He is not conservative at all. He needs to put country over his feelings. We can’t keep America going under a Democrat leadership.

— Sassafrass84 (@Sassafrass_84) July 11, 2024

Trump will win by 30 points in Utah, so I hope they remember this and give him the Romney treatment next time he runs.

— “The Way is in training.”~Miyamoto Musashi, Rob M (@Tigerkenshin808) July 11, 2024

Good Lord, might as well call yourself a Democrat.

— Julio Murillo (@JEM_el_tarasco) July 11, 2024

What a coward Governor Cox is.

— Gailen David (@gailendavid) July 11, 2024

this is the governor who announced his preferred pronouns at a town hall meeting

— Gregg Re (@gregg_re) July 11, 2024

Spineless

— Bearfort (@So_ynoT) July 11, 2024

He wants him to win but he won’t vote for him. Hate to tell ya but not voting for the other guy is a vote for trump. ‍♀️

— abortion is healthcare (@DebbiePatrizi) July 11, 2024

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Frieda Powers

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Frieda@bizpacreview.com

Originally from New York, Powers graduated from New York University and eventually made her way to sunny South Florida where she has been writing for the BizPacReview team since 2015.

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