As governor of the state of Utah and chair of the National Governors Association, Spencer Cox has been in a perfect position to exercise courage rather than political opportunism. He has failed in this stewardship.

Governor Cox has endorsed Donald Trump, setting aside the standards he has publicly espoused, including, at minimum, the standards outlined in a letter from the leadership of his church, to which he has publicly acknowledged allegiance.

In recent days, the First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has given guidance to church members on their participation in the election process. The leadership encourages members to carefully study candidates and vote for those demonstrating integrity, compassion, and service to others.

Donald Trump fails on all three counts. He has been found liable for sexual abuse and convicted on thirty-four felonies related to election interference. He is fluent in the language of misogyny. His recent lies have caused harm to various groups, including the victims of hurricanes Helene and Milton, dissuading them from seeking relief from government agencies, and the residents of Springfield, Ohio, whose lives have been turned upside down by his outrageous claims regarding Haitian migrants. The list goes on. He is unfit for public office.

Paraphrasing others: someday, Donald Trump will be gone, but those elected officials who chose survival over statesmanship will be remembered with dishonor.

Mark Peterson

Belize