Utah Gov. Spencer Cox had consistently called for civility in a polarized country where it feels increasingly rare. And then the political violence came to his own backyard.

Hours after conservative influencer Charlie Kirk was gunned down at Utah Valley University, with partisan reflexes kicking into gear, the Republican stood before cameras and offered a prayer for a different path as the U.S. approaches its 250th birthday.

“We just need every single person in this country to think about where we are and where we want to be,” Cox said, his voice a mix of emotion and exasperation. “To ask ourselves, ‘Is this it? Is this what 250 years has wrought on us?’”

“I pray that that’s not the case.”

Cox’s resolute plea touched a nerve with Americans weary of rising political violence and fearful

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