SALT LAKE CITY-Thursday, during the Utah Coronavirus task force briefing at the Utah State Capitol Building, Utah Gov. Gary Herbert said “no deal has been made” with gubernatorial candidate Thomas Wright.
Herbert acknowledged he had asked Wright to drop out of the race and support his chosen successor, Lt. Gov. Spencer Cox.
Herbert said he made no attempt to induce Wright to drop out of the governor’s race.
There have been reports that emerged suggesting Herbert urged the former Utah GOP chairman to run instead for Sen. Mike Lee’s seat in 2022 during the discussions.
Herbert said he is an “unabashed, enthusiastic supporter of Spencer Cox,” saying “he would make a fantastic governor.”
Herbert stated he first went to Wright to solicit support for Cox’s gubernatorial campaign.
Herbert, who is not seeking reelection after more than a decade in office, said he and Wright have “talked about politics many times over the years.”
