Gov. Cox, former Gov. Herbert endorse SLC Mayor Mendenhall, a Democrat

Salt Lake City Mayor Erin Mendenhall and Governor Spencer Cox. Photo: Erin Mendenhall

SALT LAKE CITY – Current and former GOP Utah Governors Spencer Cox and Gary Herbert have reached across party lines and endorsed Salt Lake City’s Democratic Mayor Erin Mendenhall in her reelection bid.

In the 2024 gubernatorial election, State Rep. Phil Lyman, a republican who joined the race for governor in early November to challenge Cox, endorsed Rocky Anderson, a former Democrat who served as Salt Lake City’s mayor from 2000 to 2008.

“Rocky Anderson and I are both passionate about prison reform in Utah. He has been a champion for people who were treated harshly during their incarceration. In some cases people died because of that treatment. Those people have an earnest friend in Rocky,” Lyman wrote on his campaign Facebook page.

To refute Lyman, Cox screen-shotted Lyman’s Facebook post and shared his thoughts on the mayoral campaign.

“I completely disagree with Phil’s endorsement of Rocky Anderson. We need a solutions-oriented mayor and not the endless dysfunction and litigation of the past. I may disagree with Mayor Mendenhall, but she is a far superior choice for Salt Lake City Mayor than Rocky Anderson,” Cox wrote on X (formerly Twitter).

The remarks align with the mayoral election in Salt Lake City, where voters currently have access to mail-in ballots. The official election day is scheduled for Nov. 21, accommodating the special election for Utah’s 2nd Congressional district to fill the remainder of former Rep. Chris Stewart’s term.

Former governor Gary Herbert also shared his thoughts on Salt Lake City’s mayoral race, echoing Gov. Cox’s statements regarding the differences in policy.

“Salt Lake City is fortunate to have a mayor who cares more about results than about partisan politics. That’s why I’ve endorsed Mayor Mendenhall for reelection. We don’t always agree on policy, but she’s always willing to listen and is committed to working across the aisle,” Herbert wrote on X.

“Erin is crisis-tested and she’s proven herself to be a strong leader for Salt Lake City. I hope you’ll vote for Mayor Erin Mendenhall and return your ballot today.”