Utah Republican Gov. Spencer Cox is taking heat from conservatives after a December 2025 interview on CNN in which he heaped praise on Democratic Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro, even floating him as presidential material. The remarks, delivered with a smile and wrapped in bipartisan platitudes, landed poorly with a GOP base that is increasingly wary of Republicans who seem more interested in media applause than standing firm against the Left.
Speaking with CNN, Cox said he has a soft spot for governors in general, arguing they make the “best presidents” because they are forced to deliver tangible results. “I think governors make the best presidents,” Cox said, adding that issues like fixing potholes and running state governments aren’t partisan. He went on to revive the familiar talking point that states are “laboratories of democracy,” where Americans “vote with their feet” by moving to places with better governance.
That rhetoric might sound harmless, but Cox took it a step further by singling out Shapiro, a rising Democrat star and a potential 2028 contender, for glowing praise. Cox said he was “very impressed” with Shapiro’s economic policies, citing permitting reform and regulatory streamlining. He even remarked that Shapiro’s approach “sounded like red state stuff,” a line that raised eyebrows among conservatives who view Shapiro as a polished progressive rather than some secret ally of free markets.
While Cox insisted he hopes a Republican wins the White House in 2028, his public admiration for a Democrat many see as a direct threat to the GOP’s future nominee, possibly Vice President JD Vance, struck many as tone-deaf at best and disloyal at worst. For grassroots conservatives, especially in Utah, the comments reinforced a long-simmering frustration with Cox’s brand of politics: polite, consensus-driven, and seemingly allergic to confrontation with the Left.
Once clips of the interview circulated on social media, the backlash was swift. Conservatives accused Cox of being more comfortable courting CNN approval than defending conservative principles. Many pointed out that Utah, one of the reddest states in the nation, deserved a governor who would champion conservative values unapologetically rather than fawning over Democrats on national television.
Critics also noted the timing. The comments came amid heightened national concern over political violence and cultural division, a moment when many Republicans believe clarity and backbone matter more than bipartisan flattery. To them, Cox’s remarks looked less like statesmanship and more like positioning for elite approval.
Some conservatives went further, arguing that Cox’s praise of Shapiro fit a broader pattern of Republican officials who downplay ideological differences in favor of vague “good governance” language. That approach, they argue, is exactly how Democrats have managed to advance progressive policies under the guise of moderation.
While Cox may see himself as a bridge-builder, his critics see something else: a Republican governor eager to compliment Democrats while conservatives are fighting to hold the line nationally. In an era when voters are demanding sharper contrasts and clearer convictions, Cox’s CNN appearance served as a reminder that not every Republican is on the same page—and that the base is paying close attention.
