📚 Summer school. Spencer Cox holds 6 of seven stars — but fails a critical Article (Open Books). Assignment: summer school for Civics, watch every Schoolhouse Rock episode five times, and submit a one-page report — due before the end of the year. Report to summer school →
“…the property of the people.” — Cicero, De Re Publica
Roughly 70% of his 2024 money came from PACs and corporations, failing the money floor outright — a conduct exemplar, not a seal holder.
60
2Free & Fair Electionscritical
85%★ earned
“The ballot is stronger than the bullet.” — Abraham Lincoln
Nothing in the record indicates election denial or any threat to peaceful transfer of power.
60
3The Dignity of the Opponent
85%★ earned
“Treat humanity … always as an end and never as a means only.” — Kant
Founder of the National Governors Association's "Disagree Better" civility initiative, arguably the best conduct lead in the country.
60
4Fear Is Not Fuel
82%★ earned
“…the better angels of our nature.” — Lincoln, First Inaugural
Built a national platform on disagreeing better rather than stoking fear.
60
5Truth & a Kept Word
75%★ earned
“…living within the truth.” A representative owes “his judgment.” — Havel · Burke
His civility work rests on engaging opposing views accurately and in good faith. A sustained civility initiative carried through his NGA chairmanship; no broken commitments documented.
60
6Against the Spirit of Party
80%★ earned
“The baneful effects of the spirit of party.” — Washington, Farewell Address
Led a bipartisan National Governors Association effort aimed above partisan tribe.
60
7Morality
85%★ earned
“The time is always right to do what is right.” — Martin Luther King Jr.
Founder of the “Disagree Better” civility initiative, credited as one of the best conduct leads in the country.
60
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Scores are Independent 2026’s own editorial read against the Seven Articles — ≥60% earns the star. The first two Articles are critical: fail Open Books or Free & Fair Elections and there is no seal, whatever else holds. Each Article carries its founding quote as the yardstick. On bias →