A public response to Bob Bernick

Bob Bernick,

re:
http://www.utahpolicy.com/view/full_story/20596960/article-Which-Legislative-Republicans-are-in-Danger-of-Losing-?

"Last week the House GOP caucus – which is usually open – closed its doors so members could discuss which among their colleagues are worried about losing Nov. 6.

Sources tell UtahPolicy that while several seats were discussed, two at the top of the “worried” list are Reps. Johnny Anderson, R-Taylorsville/West Valley City, and Fred Cox, R-West Valley."


My race wasn't discussed this time during the House GOP caucus. I didn't bring it up and I don't remember anyone else doing so either.

After the caucus, there were several members or candidates that were asked to meet with two individuals that recommend campaign funding from the house republican PAC, including me. At this point, I do not expect any additional campaign funds coming from the PAC due to that meeting. The PAC had been generous already.

The District I am in, and the newly drawn House District 30 have been a swing district for many years. Take a look at the 2004 races for House District 32 and 29. About 80% of the new house district 30 is the current House District 32.

https://secure.slco.org/clerk/elections/results/results_arch/2004general.html#20

https://secure.slco.org/clerk/elections/results/results_arch/2004general.html#17

As someone that was not expected by some to win against Sherri Winder twenty months ago, I did, even if it was by one vote in the 2nd round. I had been optimistic of my chances anyway, and I am today. I beat a Winder in West Valley City. A very nice lady and the Mayor's mom.

Sherri had name recognition and respect, but many of the delegates picked me because they believed I would do a good job and I could win in 2012.

It was rumored at the time that a Rushton or other well known name would run in 2012 for the democrats and that Sherri Winder was the only one of the 4 candidates that could win the 2012 general election.

As it has turned out, I ended up with the part time job and Sherri Winder landed the full time job working for Rep. Jason Chaffetz office. She loved working there. I was shocked and sad when she died in an accident a little over a year ago.

This year, the last ballots will not be counted and released until about November 20th. While I hope to be enough ahead when the votes that are counted on November 6th are announced, I am willing to wait, just like the County Mayor's race did for the primary election.

During redistricting, I could have pushed for the recommendation that the new District 32 not have another incumbent but would include part of Kearns and West Jordan. I said at the time that I would rather have a district that made sense and run against another incumbent.

When I found out where Rep. Fisher lived and the proposed boundaries, I did push to move about 2000 people [shift the boundary lines] in the district so Rep. Fisher would not have to look across the street and out of the new district. I lost that suggestion.

I have worked with some amazing people and unexpected resources and I am optimistic for November 6th and November 20th. It only takes one vote and everyone counts.

Fred C. Cox
Member of the Utah House of Representatives District 32 and running to represent the newly drawn State House District 30

http://www.fredcox4utah.com/

My blog is at:
http://www.fredcox4utah.blogspot.com/

Meet the Candidates Night sponsored by Region 5 PTA of the Granite School District

Even if you missed all of the dozen town hall meetings I have had this year, come to this event on Thursday, October 25, 2012 from 6:30pm to 9:00pm.

Attend the Meet the Candidates Night sponsored by Region 5 PTA of the Granite School District as well as the Council and Local PTAs in our region.

Hunter High School 4200 South 5600 West, West Valley City, UT

Proposed Agenda:

6:30 p.m. – Open House Forum opens to the public; a few areas with chairs will be set up, and light dessert/refreshment table will be provided to the public; sample ballots and maps of voting districts will be displayed for public to see

By 7:00 p.m. – Program - Candidate introductions and statements in auditorium: • Flag presentation • Opening comments by PTA Committee • Candidates give 1 - 2 minute intro/statement

By 7:45 p.m. – Resume open house format;

clean up and be out of building by 9 p.m.

An open letter to Robert Gehrke of the Salt Lake Tribune

OK, am I a member of the Tea Party? I had someone ask me. TEA party as Taxed Enough Already, yes, or as someone that doesn't listen to both sides, no. When someone says Tea Party, it isn't typically as defined as the national media likes to make it when they label someone.

I am a Conservative Republican, and yet have never voted "straight ticket" in my over 30 years of voting. Sometimes I get to the bottom of the ballot and I did vote for all Republicans and sometimes I didn't.

The headline of your initial article http://www.sltrib.com/sltrib/home/51001951-76/cox-bigelow-delegates-district.html.csp suggested that I may be a member, but I didn't join the Patrick Henry Caucus, and have spent more time reading bills than attending the different caucuses.

I don't know how to categorize me. Utah Data Points hasn't done their annual Ideology Scores, so I am not sure based on votes. [update, they finally did, see 2012 ratings link below. put me 33 out of 75 in the Utah House]

I supported the more moderate Dan Liljenquist over Rep. Herrod, picked Tim Bridgewater as my second choice over Mike Lee, and actively fought a couple of former Rep. Carl Wimmer's bills.

I was trying to decide between the most moderate Jay Cobb vs Mia Love for the 4th District and not Carl Wimmer or Stephen Sandstrom. I picked Mia Love, as did 70% of the delegates helped seated by Sen. Hatch's campaign.

I am outspoken on some issues. (Some people feel too many). I fought a gun bill because I felt it unfairly targeted hotel owner property rights. The NRA endorsed me but won't give me anything higher than a B+ because while I have fought to protect gun rights, including open carry, I believe that if someone is going to conceal the fact that they are carrying, a concealed carry permit is a good requirement.

I am more apt to quote the Utah Constitution vs the US Constitution, but have read both and have tried to make sure we (the legislature) are following both.

I am friends with members of the Tea Party and Eagle Forum, but disagree with and fight them on some issues.

On Education, I believe it should be a priority, but we are never going to have enough money for some. The UEA gives me a 50% this year and PCE gives me a 67% and I went to meet with the more balanced Education First.

My vote on 2012 SB 82, Equal Access for Education Employee Association Amendments changed my ratings for 5 different groups. http://fredcox4utah.blogspot.com/2012/05/equal-access-for-education-employee.html

I run a Utah Land Protection Act that initially gets a favorable response from Ed Firmage Jr. (see page 2, comment 19) http://www.sltrib.com/sltrib/home/51121753-76/bill-cox-federal-lands.html.csp and a member of the SL Tribune staff recently calls me part of the New Sage Brush rebellion even though I fought Rep. Ivory on his land bill for 6 months until it morphed away from requiring the Feds to sell the public lands (to who? China? ) or pay property taxes.

My last session ratings are at:
http://fredcox4utah.blogspot.com/2012/03/rep-fred-cox-voting-ratings-for-2012.html

You report politics. How would you categorize me? I don't want to throw my "Tea Party" friends under the bus, and don't mind being called a Conservative Republican. Who could get an endorsement from Cherilyn Eagar, Jim Bennett, and Bennion Spencer? I don't know anyone else.

Who would have their own state party threaten to sue the state if they adopted one of my redistricting maps and get nice words from Sen. Ben McAdams on my post on non-discrimination, negative comments from some of his supporters, and positive comments from Represent Me! on my original state house redistricting map?

I know what I believe. I am willing to stand up to pressure. I am outspoken and have way too many statements on my blog on controversial bills and issues. I am willing to listen to both sides and fight for or against a bill no matter the sponsor.

So, how do I answer the question, am I a member of the Tea Party or not?