Gov. Spencer J. Cox was rubbing shoulders last Saturday with candidates, friends and neighbors of Sen. Todd Weiler, R-Woods Cross to show support for those running for office in the upcoming election. The backyard barbecue was held as an opportunity for voters to talk to candidates about their views and policies before ballots are cast Nov. 5.

“It’s been great to chat with you for a minute,” said Cox. “I have to apologize if I look a little out of sorts. We just got back from a trade mission last night to Korea and Japan, so we were gone for 12 days and that 15 hour time change is kind of kicking me right now, but it’s good to be with you.”

Utah is an amazing state, he said. “In large part that is because of some of the elected leaders that we’ve got here tonight. We’re so blessed with incredible representatives, members of Congress, treasurer, we just love the people that are serving our state.”

However that’s not what makes Utah great, Cox said. “Obviously it’s the people who live here. I was reminded of that again, the doors that were open for us because we’re from Utah and because of the Utah connection that exists all over the world.”

Cox said they were privileged to meet with the President of South Korea. “That doesn’t happen for a state our size. They’re not taking meetings with governors from states like ours, but they were anxious to take a meeting with our state because they had so many ties to Utah.”

A lot of people who had served as missionaries there had come back and helped their economy, he said. “One of the largest businesses in Korea right now is a business that is run mostly by Utahns. So having those connections is just impressive and it reminds me again how Utah is punching above our weight in so many important ways.”

Utah has its challenges for sure, said Cox. “Together we can solve those challenges. I’m grateful for legislative partners. Senator Weiler is a dear friend. When I was elected to the House of Representatives, I was a freshman. Todd was technically considered a freshman, but he had been elected a little earlier in a special election so he had one session under his belt, which meant he knew everything, at least compared to me who knew nothing and he was so kind to me.”

Cox said anytime he had a question he knew Weiler was someone he could talk to. “As governor I still rely on him in lots of different ways and I’m grateful for his sacrifice and for his service.”

Thank you all for getting involved in elections and campaigns, he said. “It absolutely matters and we need good people to participate. Thank you for your willingness to serve at every level of government. We need good people to get involved and help preserve the great things about Utah.”

Utah is a fast growing state, said Cox. “I wish we weren’t growing as fast. I wish people weren’t moving here as fast as they are. But there’s a reason they’re moving here. The reason they’re moving here is because we do things the right way. We ask them not to try to change us into where they left. We’re different for a reason and we need to maintain that. We can grow and still maintain the best parts of Utah, right?”

Let’s help people understand what makes Utah so special, he said. “We give back, we care about our neighbors. We work hard to support our communities. This is the best part of Utah – all of us coming together in our neighborhoods. I tell people all the time, you don’t need to change the world. There’s enough people out there who are trying to change the world. What I need you to do is change your community. I need all of us to make our neighborhoods better. That’s the fabric of our society.” λ