UTPOP: Gov. Cox Approval at 57% — Strong Numbers as Legislative Session Closes

Utah Governor Maintains Bipartisan Support; Leads on Water, Housing, and Economic Development

SALT LAKE CITY (March 27th, 2025) – Utah Governor Spencer Cox enters the second year of his second term with a strong 57% job approval rating — one of the highest governor approval ratings in the Mountain West — according to the latest Utah Public Opinion Pulse (UTPOP) survey from OH Predictive Insights. Twenty-eight percent of Utah registered voters disapprove of Cox's performance, while 15% have no opinion.

Cox's approval is built on an unusually broad coalition: 76% of Republicans approve, 39% of Democrats approve, and 54% of Independent voters give him positive marks. The bipartisan nature of his support reflects Cox's governing style, which has emphasized pragmatic problem-solving over partisan confrontation — a posture that has made him one of the more prominent voices for Republican moderation nationally.

The 2025 legislative session, which concluded in March, produced several significant policy achievements that appear to be driving Cox's strong numbers. His water conservation initiative — which allocated $400 million for infrastructure upgrades and conservation incentive programs — drew strong approval across party lines in a state acutely aware of its Great Salt Lake crisis. The lake has lost 73% of its surface area since 1980, and water policy is among Utah voters' top concerns.

"Cox has done something genuinely difficult: he's maintained high approval in a deeply red state while also earning grudging respect from Democrats," says OHPI Chief of Research Mike Noble. "That bipartisan goodwill is a real political asset, and it reflects genuine accomplishments on issues like water and housing."

On specific policy areas, Cox receives his highest marks on water management (63% approve), economic development and job creation (61% approve), and education (57% approve). His weakest performance comes on immigration policy (44% approve) — reflecting the difficult balance between Utah's business community's workforce needs and the national Republican push for strict immigration enforcement.

The survey also tested Cox's standing in a hypothetical 2028 presidential primary scenario. Among Utah Republicans, Cox earns 24% first-choice support in a generic primary field, second only to a generic "Trump-aligned" candidate at 38%. His national profile as a potential future presidential candidate appears to be growing: 67% of Utah Republicans say they would support him for a future presidential run, compared to 48% who said so in 2023.

"Cox is building the biography of a presidential candidate — strong governance record, bipartisan appeal, Mountain West credentials," says OHPI Data Analyst Jacob Joss. "Whether he ever translates that into an actual campaign remains to be seen, but the foundation is there."

Methodology: UTPOP conducted March 22–24, 2025. Blended 44% Live Caller / 56% IVR. Utah Registered Voters. n=500 with ±4.4% MOE.

Media Contacts:
Mike Noble, OH Predictive Insights, [email protected], (480) 313-1837
Jacob Joss, OH Predictive Insights, [email protected], (602) 687-3034