Utah Gov. Spencer Cox has come under renewed scrutiny after the fatal shooting of conservative activist Charlie Kirk on the campus of Utah Valley University, as investigators continue to examine the case and the suspect, identified by authorities as Tyler Robinson.
Cox, a Republican, launched and promoted an initiative called "Disagree Better" while serving as chair of the National Governors Association from July 2023 to July 2024. The campaign, described by organizers as nonpartisan, seeks to encourage "healthier dialogue and reducing political polarization," and has involved elected officials, think-tank representatives and public figures.
The effort dates to Cox’s 2020 gubernatorial campaign, when he appeared in a widely circulated joint advertisement with his Democratic opponent, University of Utah law professor Christopher Peterson. In that ad, both men urged voters to "debate issues without degrading each other’s character." Cox has repeatedly said the goal is to persuade through respectful engagement rather than personal attacks.
Cox continued to promote the message during his NGA chairmanship and afterward. He joined Maryland Gov. Wes Moore, then vice chair of the NGA, at a 2024 "Disagree Better" event that drew public praise from President Joe Biden, who commended efforts to get political rivals to "listen to one another, to treat one another with a sense of dignity and respect." Cox has said he believes persuasion works by treating opponents with dignity and respect, even when faced with personal criticism.
The nonprofit organization behind the initiative lists a range of participants, including officials from the American Enterprise Institute, the Charles G. Koch Charitable Foundation, former judges and more than two dozen governors from both parties. Jared Polis, Colorado’s governor and a listed officer of the initiative, told a podcast that curiosity and asking questions can validate the humanity of those with whom one disagrees without forcing agreement.
Kirk, the founder of Turning Point USA, frequently traveled to college campuses to engage with students and invite debate in the style that Cox and other "Disagree Better" advocates promote. Videos of Kirk's campus appearances show him responding calmly to hostile exchanges, a manner his supporters have pointed to amid discussions of political discourse and safety.
The fatal shooting on the Utah college campus has prompted broader conversations about political violence in the United States. Authorities are investigating the circumstances of Kirk’s death and the role, if any, of political motive. The case has come amid a string of high-profile attacks and threats against public figures, including an assassination attempt on then-presidential nominee Donald Trump in July 2024 in Butler, Pennsylvania.
Cox has publicly discussed political violence and the need for tempering rhetoric. Following the 2024 attack on Trump, Cox said the experience presented an opportunity for unity and remarked that he would continue efforts to promote more civil discourse, even while acknowledging limits to any single individual's influence on national political dynamics.
Organizers describe "Disagree Better" as having expanded beyond a single governor’s initiative into a network of public figures, athletes, and influencers demonstrating respectful disagreement in action. The group’s public statements emphasize nonpartisanship and a focus on reducing polarization, and its website notes collaborations with a variety of civic and private-sector partners.
Fox News Digital reported on Cox’s role in the initiative and reached out to the governor for comment. Representatives for the Disagree Better organization did not immediately provide public contact information and could not be reached for additional comment. Law enforcement officials in Utah continue to investigate the circumstances of Kirk’s death and have not released a timeline for any further public announcements.
As the inquiry proceeds, Cox’s long-standing public advocacy for more civil political engagement remains part of the national conversation about the tone of political debate and the safety of public political actors.