Key takeaways from the first Utah gubernatorial debate between Cox, King, Latham

SALT LAKE CITY ( ABC4 ) — Three candidates took the stage at Salt Lake Community College Wednesday night in the gubernatorial debate.

Utahns had the chance to listen to incumbent Gov. Spencer Cox, who is the Republican candidate; Brian Smith King, who is the Democratic candidate; and J. Robert Latham, who is the Libertarian candidate.

On Wednesday, the candidates discussed their stances on key issues including the economic state of Utah, sustainable issues, housing affordability, and Amendment D, among others.

Here is a brief breakdown of what the candidates said about some major issues.

What did the candidates say about their plans to strengthen the economy?

Early on in the debate, candidates were asked how they planned to strengthen the economy amid Utanhs’ concerns about the rising costs of everyday items.

Cox said Utah was in its “golden age” after the moderator mentioned Utah’s growing economy. Cox also said inflation could be attributed to “wasteful spending coming out of Washington, D.C.”

After Cox referenced Utah’s growing economy, King countered by saying that “statistics aren’t everything.”

King said his campaign’s first priority would be looking out for “everyday Utahns.”

Latham, mentioned increased housing costs and encouraged voters to look at a “free-to-build” program sponsored by the Libertas Institute.

What did the candidates say about their plans to ensure affordable and sustainable power?

King began the discussion about sustainable power by saying Utah should follow the free market, saying Utah has “tremendous” renewable energy sources.

“Renewable energy is not the future, it’s the present knocking on our door saying, ‘Why are you late?'” King said.

Latham spoke next, saying nuclear power could add to Utah’s energy mix, but he wants to make sure energy companies would not spoil the environment.

Cox said renewable energy could not grow quickly in Utah because “the radical environmental movement and the Democrats in Congress will not pass permitting reform to make that possible.”

In a rebuttal, King claimed that part of the reason Rocky Mountain Power was raising rates was because Utah’s legislature was fighting to keep coal-powered plants open “despite the fact that they are an increased cost, and they’re passing those costs onto consumers of the state of Utah.”

Rocky Mountain Power issued a statement to ABC4.com, saying, in part, “that is not true what Representative King said concerning the reason for the request to increase rates.”

The power company referenced a June 2024 press release , and clarified that “net power costs, transmission and generation projects, and insurance premiums are the drivers for the rate request.”

What did the candidates say about their plans to expand public transportation options?

When asked about public transportation plans, several candidates referenced the opportunities that they said can come with the 2034 Winter Olympics coming to Salt Lake City.

“We have to increase transit, and we’re going to do that over the next 10 years,” Cox said.

Cox also said he wants every community in Utah to be connected by trails for walking and biking.

King said the Olympics will provide the chance for more “transit-oriented development” and bigger transit projects.

Latham said he would advise voters to listen to the guidance of legislators because they are studying the issues, but the transit plans should make sense for the “average Utahn commuter.”

What else did the candidates say?

ABC4’s Jordan Tracy was at the debate and highlighted some other discussions that took at the debate, including Cox and King discussing Cox’s change of heart about former President Donald Trump.

The candidates discussed housing issues in Utah, and Cox said his administration has a plan to build 35,000 starter homes.

King asked, “If we’re the best economy in the country, why is it that so many people have such difficulty getting into a home?”

King also said he would make sure Utah’s housing stock is purchased and available for Utahns, not people from out-of-state.

The candidates also discussed Amendment D , with King calling it “deceitful” and urging voters to vote against the amendment in November. Latham echoed that sentiment and also called the ballot measure “deceitful.”

Cox, on the other hand, said trying to keep Utahns from voting on the measure was deceitful.

The candidates also discussed artificial intelligence, and several echoed concerns about privacy for children.

The liveblog entries can be viewed below.

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