Utah Gov. Spencer Cox appears to have landed a book deal with Penguin Press: a new state conflict-of-interest disclosure shows the publisher paid him at least $5,000.
Help us reach 100
Utah Political Watch is reader-funded. We need 100 new paid subscribers to keep this work going.
We're independent. We don't pull punches. We answer only to readers—not corporations, billionaires, or political agendas.
Fewer than 1% of our readers support this work. Be different.
Support journalism that holds power accountable.
Late last week, Cox filed a new conflict of interest disclosure with the state listing Penguin Press as an organization that paid him $5,000 or more. Penguin Press does not appear his prior disclosures.
The disclosure does not specify the purpose of the payment, but the timing and publisher strongly suggest an advance tied to a forthcoming book project.
Spokespeople for Cox and Penguin Press did not immediately respond to questions from Utah Political Watch.
The timing tracks with Cox’s recent rise in national media. He drew praise for his pleas for unity following the fatal shooting of conservative activist and podcaster Charlie Kirk at Utah Valley University in September. That led to an appearance on 60 Minutes and a guest slot on the Ezra Klein Show podcast.
Authoring a book now would cement Cox’s “civility” brand and test his appeal beyond Utah—potentially giving him a platform with donors, media and voters.
Cox would be the second prominent Utah Republican with a book in the works. In August, Sen. Mike Lee disclosed a forthcoming HarperCollins title, “The Uniparty,” set for publication early next year.
