‘There’s a better way’: Candidates for Utah governor show U.S. unity

This photo taken Sept. 29, 2020, shows Utah Lt. Gov. Spencer Cox, left, a Republican and Democratic challenger Chris Peterson, rivals to become Utah's next governor, bumping elbows after facing each other in a prime-time debate in Salt Lake City. The two released dual ads calling for "civility." (Trent Nelson/The Salt Lake Tribune, via AP, Pool)

Credit: AP

Credit: AP

This photo taken Sept. 29, 2020, shows Utah Lt. Gov. Spencer Cox, left, a Republican and Democratic challenger Chris Peterson, rivals to become Utah's next governor, bumping elbows after facing each other in a prime-time debate in Salt Lake City. The two released dual ads calling for "civility." (Trent Nelson/The Salt Lake Tribune, via AP, Pool)

Two candidates on opposing political parties for governor of Utah joined together for a rare positive voting ad.

CBS News reported Republican Lt. Gov. Spencer Cox and Democrat Chris Peterson, a law professor, appeared together in joint 30-second ads. The focus of the ads, rather than attacks, is a call for civility.

“I’m not sure this has ever been done before ... but as our national political dialogue continues to decline, my opponent @PetersonUtah and I decided to try something different,” Cox tweeted Tuesday. “We can disagree without hating each other. Let’s make Utah an example to the nation.”

“I’d like to thank @SpencerJCox for joining together to record these PSAs,” Peterson tweeted. “With the deep divisions in our country, it can take grace and courage to try to work together. No matter who wins the presidential election, we must all commit to a peaceful transfer of power.”

In the ad tweeted by Peterson, he emphasized commonalities among voters.

“Our common values transcend our political differences and the strength of our nation rests on our ability to see that,” Peterson said.

Cox joined the race after Utah’s current governor, Republican Gary Herbert, announced he would not seek reelection.

Since the ads have been posted, they have garnered millions of views. Both candidates have been invited on multiple news shows to discuss how they came together.

“We didn’t know each other before I jumped into politics," Peterson told NBC’s “Today” show. “I knew who he was. I don’t think he knew who I am.

“We’re just trying to focus on the issues and have a civil campaign, and let the public decide,” he continued. “That’s what our democracy is supposed to be about.”

Cox said that whether he wins or Peterson wins, “there are opportunities for us to work together.”