Melissa Fox For Assembly

Swing State Project: "An Upset Very Possible"

"Republican Don Wagner has not been very visible on the campaign trail and is quite right-wing. On the Democratic side, you have Melissa Fox who is running a very competent and energetic campaign. Even though this has long been a Republican district, that grip is slipping as Democratic leaning Irvine has helped make Democrats viable here. I rated this one as Likely Republican before, but I'm moving it to Lean Republican, simply because Fox is a top tier candidate and Wagner is running a lackluster campaign, conditions that make an upset very possible." (Swing State Project, October 23, 2010).

Calitics: "10 Reasons to Support Melissa Fox"

Earlier this week the LA Times noted that Democrats are on the offense in Assembly races. Anthony York's article noted the strong defense of Alyson Huber in AD-10 and Dr. Richard Pan's campaign against right-winger Andy Pugno in AD-5 as examples of this trend.

But he neglected to add one very important and compelling pickup opportunity, and that's Melissa Fox in AD-70. It's a district that Obama carried by 4 points in 2008, part of the broader trend that is turning Orange County blue. I was born and raised here, in Tustin, and my family still lives there. I've always been ashamed that right-wing wackos like Chuck DeVore (mis)represent that district, and I know that residents there care about good schools, jobs, and quality of life instead of the latest crazy right-wing freakout of the day.

And we also have a fantastic up-and-coming progressive leader running for the seat in Melissa Fox. You've probably seen her posts here at Calitics. What you may not know is she has a very real shot at surprising the pundits and winning this election.

With just over one week left until Election Day, I thought I'd offer 10 reasons why I support Melissa Fox - and why I hope you will too.

1. Melissa Fox is a strong progressive who doesn't waffle on issues like marriage equality, education, or the need to move to single payer health insurance. You've seen that here at Calitics, including this powerful defense of a woman's right to choose.

2. Her opponent, Don Wagner, is a fringe Tea Party candidate, a leader in the Federalist Society and the Education Alliance, who boasts of support from Arizona's anti-immigrant sheriff Joe Arpaio, Christian Coalition leader Ralph Reed, and lists Michelle Malkin as a "community leader."

3. Don Wagner disappeared after the primary, which he won with only 32% of the vote against three more moderate Republicans. No candidate statement. No mail. No appearances except for a few Tea Party rallies. He's arrogant, lazy, and unknown. He communicated only with Republicans six months ago, and 2/3 of Republicans didn't like him. Even his website's news page hasn't been updated since May. He clearly takes voters for granted.

4. As I said above, this is a district that Obama won by 4 points, and has been becoming more progressive as the demographics change - including as my own generation starts to assert itself in the community. It's much more progressive than registration numbers indicate. These are exactly the kind of districts where we need to play offense.

5. The largest employer in the district is UC Irvine with its 34,000 students. This has always been a huge untapped resource, dating back to my one year as a student there in the 1990s. The Democrats of Greater Irvine have done a great job of registering students this cycle, and there is a strong, multi-level program to use social media and texting to turn them out to vote.

6. There are a lot of other races going on in this district which will help turn out progressive voters - a battle to protect the progressive majority on the Irvine City Council, the Capistrano Unified School District's recall of regressive school board members, the very effective Beth Krom for Congress campaign, and grassroots progressive city council candidates in Tustin and Newport Beach.

7. Your money won't be wasted. Melissa's campaign is disciplined and spends its advertising money efficiently and smartly. Every dollar you give now will go into printing and mailing one of the best contrast pieces I've seen -- "The Invisible Man" which exposes the extreme positions of her far-right opponent. And all of the work has been done without overpriced and ineffective Sacramento consultants, so you're supporting progressive infrastructure as well.

8. It's a lot more fun to play offense than defense. If we want to make California more progressive, we need to take the fight to the right in the purple districts they now control.

9. Because it gets us closer to a 2/3rds majority. Really, what more do you need?

10. Because I don't donate very often. I'm very stingy with my campaign giving. In the 2008 cycle I only gave to two candidates (Darcy Burner and Debbie Cook). But I gave to Melissa Fox because she is the future of progressive leadership in California.

Will you join me? Click here to support Melissa Fox for Assembly!

(Robert Cruickshank, Caltics, October 22, 2010).

ELECTION 2010

"Melissa Fox was born in Garden Grove and raised in Westminster. Commitment to public service comes naturally to Fox — her mother was a registered nurse and a librarian and her father was a police officer, a compliance officer with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and a Korean War combat veteran. Fox attended Hebrew Academy, then went to Brandeis University and Tulane University School of Law. After law school, Fox returned to Orange County, where for the last 17 years she has specialized in providing legal counsel to small businesses. 'Together we can put education first, bring jobs and economic development to our district, and renew the California dream,' Fox said.  A champion of 'tax fairness', she 'will fight hard to cut taxes for those who need it most: California’s small businesses and middle class'.” (Orange County Jewish Life, October, 2010).

AD-70: Don Wagner's Holocaust-Denying Donors and Extremist Supporters

"Orange County is becoming bluer, partly as a rejection of the kind of extremism that Don Wagner represents. While Wagner is taking money from Holocaust deniers and carrying out Ralph Reed's agenda, Orange County residents in my hometown assembly district are focused on jobs, preserving good schools, and improving their quality of life. That's not something Don Wagner can or will offer. But Melissa Fox can." (Calitics, September 23, 2010).

MELISSA FOX, AN ASSEMBLY PICK-UP IN AD 70?

"Melissa Fox  is running in AD-70, an assembly district that Obama carried by almost 9,000 votes. The district includes the progressive bastion of Irvine as its largest city and UC Irvine as its largest employer. UCI is also a huge pool of voters, with 26,000 undergraduates and 15,000 graduate students, staff, and faculty. . . And there is Melissa, an incredibly hard-working candidate, running a frugal yet very effective campaign. She won her primary with 75.1% of the vote against a better-known candidate, primarily because of strong direct mail. Melissa won the California Grass Roots All Star contest, finishing ahead of Debra Bowen and Kamala Harris. . . Melissa can win this race, if she has progressive support in the next few weeks. And this is a campaign where your money won’t be wasted on Sacramento consultants doing ineffective TV spots or marking their mail up 100%. It’s a lean mean project run by local consultants who know how to win in Orange County. (L.A. Progressive, September 22, 2010).

TAKING THE FIGHT TO ORANGE COUNTY

"Orange County is one of the most pivotal electoral battlegrounds in the nation as Democrats struggle to maintain majorities in the State Assembly and Congress. Despite minimal support from the Democratic Party leadership, Orange County has great potential to fare well in the November elections. . .  Melissa Fox  is running in an assembly district that Obama carried by almost 9,000 votes. She is a California DFA Allstar, and won her primary by three-to-one over a previous candidate. She is running in an open seat against a Tea Party Republican who narrowly beat three moderate Republicans in the primary." (L.A. Progressive, September 21, 2010).

Melissa fox honored with jeanNette rankin courage award as role model for women

Melisss Fox was among a select group of women to receive the first annual Jeannette Rankin Courage to Run Award from the National Women's Political Caucus.

The award was presented in Los Angeles on August 29, the 90th anniversary of women's suffrage, to "women candidates who have faced significant challenges in their races and yet maintained the courage the continue to fight for women's equality and progress."

Jeanette Rankin was the first woman elected to the United States Congress in 1916, four years before women had even been granted the right to vote. Rankin was an activist, teacher, and leader for women's suffrage in Congress, the state of Washington and Montana, and integral to the passage of the 19th Amendment, which gave women the right to vote.

"I am deeply honored to receive an award named after Jeannette Rankin on the 90th anniversary of the 19th Amendment.." Melissa Fox said. "But even after 90 years, women have still not yet achieved full equality. I will continue to fight for equal rights for women, for women's reproductive rights, and for a society that is free from any form of prejudice."

why orange county is getting bluer

"Democrats have begun to thrive in local government in OC. Debbie Cook parlayed her popularity as a Huntington Beach city councilmember into a strong challenge to incumbent right-wing wacko Dana Rohrabacher in CA-46 in 2008. Deborah Gavello was elected to the usually right-wing Tustin city council in 2008, and teacher Bill Hedrick  came very close to knocking off Ken Calvert in CA-44 the same year, like Cook winning lots of votes from whites as well as nonwhites. . . .

Along with Congressional candidates Beth Krom and Bill Hedrick, Assembly candidates like Melissa Fox, running against an old-school right winger in the AD-70 race and Phu Nguyen, running in AD-68 are the leaders who will consolidate the trends and turn OC blue. They understand that OC residents want jobs, good schools, and environmental protections, not silly appeals to the latest right-wing ideological fantasy of the day.

At a time when it seems like the right-wing is poised to have a better November election than they've had in several cycles, it's good to see that here in California, even in their strongholds, the public is rejecting what the right-wing extremists have to offer. (Calitics, August 30, 2010).

A MOST PERSONAL DECISION

"This is an amazing post, a powerful defense of the right to choose. - promoted by Robert Cruickshank."

"The question of what a woman should do when she is pregnant but does not want to raise a child is extremely personal for me  It is the question that my birth mother, unmarried and eighteen years old, faced forty-three years ago. . . " (Calitics, June 20, 2010).

candidates plan street protest near musick jail

"LAKE FOREST – Jim Gardner and Melissa Fox say there are not enough answers for a county plan that could bring more criminals to local jails. Two residents running for office in the November election are calling for a street protest Monday to question a county plan that could bring hundreds of convicted criminals to two county jails. Jim Gardner, running for a City Council seat, and 70th Assembly candidate Melissa Fox, question a deal between the Orange County Sheriff's Department and the Federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement to house up to 1,400 people convicted of a crime and suspected of being illegal immigrants in the Musick Jail, near Irvine and Lake Forest, and in Theo Lacy Jail in Orange. 'We're worried that not all aspects of this program have been thoroughly studied and residents of Irvine and Lake Forest may be at risk if the criminals who are housed at Musick Jail escape,' Fox said.".(The Orange County Register, June 8,2010).

Democrat Fox cruising to Assembly primary win

"While the Republican side of the race to replace Assemblyman Chuck DeVore is knotted with three candidates, the Democrat side finds Melissa Fox with 3-1 lead over Michael Glover... Fox believes she can beat the Republican, pointing out that Barack Obama beat John McCain in the district in 2008, that a ballot measure calling for parental notification for abortions failed in the district, and that the Proposition 8 ban on gay marriage passed in the district by less than a percentage point. 'We’ve been walking precincts for a year and it paid off,' Fox told me a few minutes ago. 'We’ll be using the same strategy for November. I think the issues of education, in-home health care, and the job market make this job very much up for grabs.'".(The Orange County Register, June 8,2010).

MELISSA FOX RADIO INTERVIEW ON THE JIMMY DORE SHOW

Listen to Melissa's interview with award-winning comedian and activist Citizen Jimmy Dore from The Jimmy Dore Show on KPFK 90.7 FM (The Jimmy Dore Show, May  26, 2010).

Democratic party of orange county voter guide

"The following candidates have been endorsed by the Democratic Party of Orange County: State Assembly 70th Assembly District, Melissa Fox." (O.C. Progressive, May  21, 2010).

OC Democrat Asks Republicans To Drop 'No New Tax' Pledge

"The problem with Sacramento has been the Republicans have just said 'no' to budgets and taken a blanket pledge of no new taxes," Fox said at a UC Irvine candidate forum this week. "They focus on saying 'no' to everything. . . The middle class and small businesses are bearing too much of the tax burden." (Orange County Weekly, May  20, 2010; photo by Christopher Victorio).

New Video from melissa fox for assembly

"Please join Melissa in the fight for our schools, our seniors and our local businesses and economic growthby making a contribution today, in any amount, so that we can change our state’s priorities and renew the California Dream. And please watch the video – and share it with others! "  (The Liberal O.C., May 18, 2010).

Primaries matter in the 70th assembly district

"Melissa has a way of making every single person she meets feel important and part of her mission, which is the goal of all of us, to be heard in Sacramento. Melissa Fox reaches out to every constituency, small and large and makes it a point to learn about all the issues.  She came to Oak Grove and walked the picket lines with our teachers and listened to what they had to say about the CUSD issues, all of which would cover the 70th AD.  Melissa is engaged and inquisitive and most of all, she’s positive, her energy level is obscene, I’ve witnessed her outrun everyone in her team and just keep going."  (O.C. Progressive, May 18, 2010).

Melissa fox: We must respect and serve our seniors

"'Respecting and serving our seniors is more than a matter of policy; it is a moral issue. Our character as a community is defined in large part by how we treat those who have served and protected us,' said Fox." (The Liberal O.C., May 12, 2010).

melissa blasts Arnold's vicious attack on seniors

"Melissa has a fine, typically on-target blog post out today blasting Arnold’s & Republicans’ dishonest and inhumane attacks on seniors’ in-home health care." (Orange Juice Blog, May 21, 2010).

teachers on the picket line

"We invited a teacher from CUSD to provide a first hand account of the strike from the picket line. And Melissa Fox, AD-70 candidate, offers her thoughts on this situation." (The Liberal O.C., April 22, 2010).

From red to blue in 2010

"Orange County is where a potentially transformative fight for the future of this state is unfolding. Melissa Fox is running a very strong campaign to succeed wingnut hero Chuck DeVore in AD-70, which covers much of the same ground as CA-48.

Fox drew a large crowd to her event Saturday morning at Starbucks and is getting more attention from Democrats around the state as another strong candidate who understands the district's needs that the wingnuts have so long neglected. Fox has a particular focus on education, which resonates in a district that prides itself on good schools but face deep budget cuts that jeopardize educational quality - and in turn, jeopardize home values." (Calitics, April 19, 2010).

the ad70 gop candidates can only say 'no'

"It just doesn’t make sense for voters to elect a representative who all but promises to bring nothing back to the people of their district. Luckily, Melissa Fox presents the voters in the 70th Assembly District with a positive alternative to these naysayers in November. In sharp contract to these lackluster Republicans, Melissa Fox has presented real solutions to California’s problems, and has promised to work closely with local elected leaders to bring money back from Sacramento to our local schools and businesses. That’s one reason why Mayor Kang has endorsed Melissa Fox and urged anyone who cares about our local schools and local businesses to support her candidacy. What’s clear is we need to elect Melissa Fox to the Assembly." (The Liberal O.C., April 11, 2010).

What I'm Getting Nancy Pelosi for Her 70th Birthday

"In the State Assembly, Melissa Fox  seems to be grabbing tremendous attention in her 70th District race.  I met her last year at a county fundraiser and got to talk politics with her a bit.  Very smart, very personable, progressive and electable." (The Daily Kos, March 25, 2010).

Fox Wins Teachers' Union Endorsement, Kang Attends Fundraiser

"Irvine Mayor Sukhee Kang attended a fundraiser Wednesday night for Melissa Fox, Democratic candidate for the 70th Assembly District of California, which includes Irvine. Meanwhile, Fox announced yesterday she has received the endorsement of the California Federation of Teachers, a powerful union representing 120 thousand teachers and school employees around the state... Kang reportedly told supporters last night that if Fox is successful in her campaign for state assembly there will be more state funding for schools in the district as a result of her commitment to education." (Irvine Journal, March 25, 2010).

California Education: Our Smallest Citizens Pay the Biggest Price

"Melissa Fox, candidate for the California Assembly for the 70th Assembly District (Aliso Viejo, Irvine, Laguna Beach, Laguna Woods, Lake Forest,  Newport Beach and Tustin) posted this blog on her website yesterday in support of the statewide Day of Action to Defend Education. We think Melissa hits the nail on the head about our smallest citizens paying the biggest price for California’s budget crisis, and we want to share her post with you." (The Liberal O.C., March 5, 2010).

 Orange County: No Longer "The Right Wing Cradle"

"This is a fantastic look at how dramatically Orange County has changed in the last 40 years, from Democratic candidate for AD-70 Melissa Fox - promoted by Robert Cruickshank." (Calitics, Feb. 25, 2010).

Investment in Public Transportation Gives Californians the Most "Bang for the Buck"

[Article by Melissa Fox] "No expenditure of taxpayer money gets more “bang for the back” than investment in public transportation.  By partnering with the private sector to create new, cleaner, and more efficient public transportation, government investment can create millions of new sustainable jobs, save billions of dollars in wasted fuel and lost time, and save further billions by reducing pollution and automobile accidents, and their related heath care costs.  At the same time, investment in new, cleaner, and more efficient public transportation promotes both the environmental and the security interests of the United States by cutting greenhouse gas emissions and reducing our dependence on foreign oil. In California, we do not need more toll roads that benefit only the few who can afford to ride them and that fail to reduce congestion or return the taxpayers’ investment. In contrast, investment in public transportation provides immediate economic benefits and the opportunity for our state to once again become a world leader in new technology and energy efficiency that will create new jobs and new industries now and in the future. Investment in high speed rail in California will create more than more than 600,000 new private sector construction-related jobs to build the system and an additional 450,000 permanent jobs statewide once the system is fully built.  A significant percentage of these jobs will be right here in Orange County." (Pacific Progressive, Feb. 5, 2010).

Assembly Majority Whip Fiona Ma Supports OC's Democratic Assembly Candidates

"Assembly majority whip Fiona Ma of San Francisco made a trip to Orange County this afternoon to attend fundraisers for Melissa Fox, a candidate for Chuck DeVore’s AD-70 seat, and a dinner for Phu Nguyen’s AD-68 campaign. For Fox and Nguyen, having the Majority Whip in the State Assembly take an interest in your race, it means something. We spoke with Ma who cannot believe the energy from Democrats in the OC and how much the political environment has changed." (The Liberal O.C., January 29, 2010).

You Are Your Money; You Are Your Time

What if I told you that someone was truly working to create a better world, was well-organized, and simply needed to show financial support to be able to have a shot at winning. Would that interest you? ... One of our best chances to take a seat in the State House -- and to get closer to the 2/3 supermajority we need to fix the state -- is Melissa Fox, running for caveman Chuck DeVore's seat in Irvine." (The Daily Kos, December 30, 2009).

Melissa Fox Gears Up for 2010 Assembly Race

This blog loves Melissa Fox.  She's smart.  She's capable. Her Republican opponents -- Steven Choi, Don Wagner, and Jerry Amante -- look more and more like the Three Stooges as they try to out-conservative each other in a battle for "whose more to the Right than I am." (The Liberal O.C., December 30, 2009).

Make 2010 the Year of the Fox in CA 70-AD

“With voters in NY23 rejecting a hard right wing idealogue, perhaps voters in AD-70 can do the same next year and cast a ballot for Melissa Fox against two hard core right wingers who desire to out-conservative each other.” (The Liberal O.C., November 4, 2009).

Can Melissa Fox Beat Toll Road Jerry?

“Melissa Fox has a real chance in this district. Progressives support Melissa. She's smart, tough, and believes in education and effective government. . . she also has a career fighting for small businesses . . . [including] defending a Vietnamese retailer whose only crime was the freshness of their food. At Orange County Progressive, we love candidates like Melissa Fox.” (O.C. Progressive, June 24, 2009).

My Birthday Wish For Orange County

“I want Beth Krom to be my Congresswoman and Melissa Fox to be my Assemblywoman . . . Both are smart and talented women who are progressive Democrats and both would represent my interests in Sacramento and Washington. It's time issues like single payer, marriage equality and the environment took on more meaning than pushing watered down bills around, doing nothing but appeasing corporate interests and insulting true progressive values.” (The Daily Kos, June 30, 2009).

Melissa Fox to Launch Campaign for AD-70 on Saturday

“I’m pleased to support the campaign of Melissa Fox for AD-70 in California. It will be a pleasure to have an assembly member from Orange County who cares about public education and knows Orange County continues to get the short end of the stick when it comes to education dollars.” (The Liberal O.C., June 24, 2009).

Melissa Fox Kicks Off 70th AD Campaign

“Melissa Fox kicked off her campaign to take the 70th AD seat of the termed-out Chuck Devore. Fox's district includes Newport Beach, Irvine, Lake Forest and Laguna Beach. The Newport Beach event was filled to capacity. Local elected officials including Larry Agran and Rose Espinoza attended the event. Steve Young, a candidate for 68th AD, Ken Arnold, Steve Blount, and Danielle Nava also attended. The local business community was also represented. Melissa Fox is a wife, mother and business owner who sees the impact of Sacramento decisions on the lives of her family. ‘My son's choir teacher has been cut. It was this choir teacher who helped my son find out that he loves to sing. Now, he's in the All American Boys Chorus. Without that teacher, my son would not have gone to choir camp.’ Melissa has been endorsed by the Hon. Rose Espinoza of La Habra. Rose Espinoza is currently a member of the La Habra City Council, has served as Mayor of La Habra, and is currently a candidate for Orange County Supervisor. She also founded Rosie's Garage, a program for youth in La Habra.” (Pacific Progressive, June 29, 2009).

Melissa Fox Receives Endorsements

“Melissa Fox, candidate for 70th AD, received the endorsement of Rancho Santiago Community College District Trustee John Hanna. Hanna is a local area attorney who has been a trustee of the local community college district for over 10 years. Hanna is currently chairs the Advisory Committee on Legislation for the Community College League of California. Fox also picked up the endorsement from the National Women's Political Caucus of California (NWPC-CA). NWPC-CA works to increase the participation of women in the political process. The group provides fundraising, training, and support for women running for office.” (Pacific Progressive, July 23, 2009).

Come and Meet Assembly Candidate Melissa Fox

"I finally met Melissa last month at an event in Laguna Beach.  She has a lot of energy and ideas to help represent Assembly District 70.  Electing Melissa to this seat means we’ll get some real representation especially in the area of education… If education matters to you then you already know underfunded our local school districts are in AD70 compared to the state average, then we need a candidate like Melissa Fox in the assembly. Quite simply, it’s not just a vote for Melissa, but it’s a vote for your kids and your schools. Go meet Melissa for yourself and bring your checkbook; after meeting her, it’s hard not to write this exceptional candidate a check." (The Liberal O.C., September 9, 2009).

Melissa Fox and Beth Krom: Strong, Smart Women for Strong Schools, a Vital Business Community and a Forward Looking Strategy

"Mark your calendars and head to Lake Forest on Thursday, October 8, to join Beth Krom and Melissa Fox at a meet and greet at Melissa's home.  Beth is running to replace John Campbell in Congress.  Melissa is running for the seat of termed out Chuck Devore in the 70th AD.

Both of these strong, smart women want to bring balance back to their districts and will work to help their constituents.  Both are wives and mothers who are also businesswomen.  Both understand the need for strong schools, a vital business community, and a forward looking strategy." (Pacific Progressive, September 23, 2009).

Melissa Fox Gets Key Endorsement in Assembly Race

"We received this update from Melissa Fox this morning: “I’m very proud and grateful to be able to share with you that California List has officially endorsed by candidacy for the California Assembly for the 70th Assembly District" (The Liberal O.C., December 4, 2009).

Does Melissa Fox Have a Chance in the 70th AD After All?

"Obama carried the 70th AD by a significant and stunning margin of 8,721 votes (the last Democrat to win here was FDR). Prop 8 won by only .1% in the 70th AD, and several of its largest communities – including Irvine and Laguna Beach – are majority Democrat in voting if not yet in registration. 
The demographics and politics of the 70th AD has changed. A Democrat can win, especially a Democrat as smart and hard-working as Melissa Fox. 

And especially if those who want to stop a right-wing wacko like Don Wagner from representing us in Sacramento get involved in Melissa's campaign." Dissent the Blog, October 29,2009).