The governor's race is on the ballot in Utah this year. Despite the vitriol commonly seen spewing between candidates in races across the country, the two major-party candidates here, Republican Lieutenant Governor Spencer Cox and Democratic challenger Chris Peterson have linked arms for an unconventional campaign ad, displaying a united front.
The promotion provides a look at civil discourse between two opposing candidates and the ideas they share on how to move the state forward. The candidates both agree that, through the commercial, Americans can see that those with opposing views can still tackle the toughest problems without being disrespectful toward one another.
“It really is the foundation of our country and these democratic principles that we hold so dear," Cox told Cheddar. "For 240 years we’ve been figuring out ways to get along, even when we disagree; and it just feels, in the current climate, like it’s more important than ever that we remind people that we are Americans first.”
While civility between politicians is not at the level it had been in some previous years, these candidates hope to inspire other lawmakers nationwide to take a more active approach to restore it in politics.
For Peterson, the divisive path America has traveled down is a threat to democracy.
“I worry that we're losing sight of the fact that we’re all one nation and not separate political tribes,” he said.
Spencer is calling on Americans to practice the same civility they expect from elected officials.
“That means being more civil on Facebook, on Twitter. Not surrounding ourselves with voices like ours. Not degrading and demeaning the other side but really trying to listen to learn and listen to understand,” Cox said.
The pair’s unconventional method of reaching the voters in Utah has even opened up the possibility of the two working together once a winner is declared — the results both have agreed to accept once announced.
Alex Gangitano, White House Correspondent for The Hill, joined Cheddar to discuss the chaos surrounding democrats in congress as they try to advance President Biden's agenda.
Kathy Mulvey, the Accountability Campaign Director for the Union of Concerned Scientists, joined Cheddar News to break down Thursday's congressional hearing on climate change with big oil executives and lobbyists.
Carlo and Baker cover Facebook's big rebrand, the latest on Biden's economic agenda and more. Plus, ranking the best Halloween candy and the worst couple's costumes.
As President Joe Biden heads to Europe for the G20 and the United Nations COP26 climate meeting, he has announced a new $1.75 trillion spending framework. Senate Democrats are reportedly close to agreeing on passing the legislation, but it hangs in the balance as President Biden and other world leaders will meet at COP26 and Biden looks to proclaim the U.S. a leader on climate issues. Vox Senior Reporter Rebecca Leber joins Cheddar News' Closing Bell to discuss the $555 billion worth of clean energy initiatives Biden included in the framework, and how Democrats' continuing negotiations undermine U.S. climate leadership.
Christopher Romaka, advocacy lead at Good Counsel Services, explains how the non-profit is still working to get Afghan refugees out of the country, which fell to the Taliban back in August.
Dems race for a deal on President Biden's economic agenda ahead of his big foreign trip. What to make of the latest threat assessment in Afghanistan. Plus, the meme cryptocurrency of the moment that's now worth more than many Fortune 500 companies.
The U.S. has now joined a handful of countries that allow a gender designation other than 'male' or 'female' on passports. Chris Johnson, White House Reporter for the Washington Blade, joined Cheddar to discuss.
