Jon D. Fox

Jon D. Fox (April 22, 1947 – February 11, 2018) was an American Republican politician. He served as a member of Pennsylvania House of Representatives from 1985 to 1992 before being elected to the Montgomery County Board of Commissioners (1992-1995). His final political role was as a member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Pennsylvania between 1995 and 1999.

Jon D. Fox
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Pennsylvania's 13th district
In office
January 3, 1995 – January 3, 1999
Preceded byMarjorie Margolies-Mezvinsky
Succeeded byJoe Hoeffel
Member of the Montgomery County
Board of Commissioners
In office
January 6, 1992[1]  January 3, 1995
Preceded byFloriana Bloss
Succeeded byRichard Buckman
Member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives
from the 153rd district
In office
January 1, 1985  January 16, 1992[2]
Preceded byJoe Hoeffel
Succeeded byMartin Laub
Personal details
Born(1947-04-22)April 22, 1947
Abington, Pennsylvania
DiedFebruary 11, 2018(2018-02-11) (aged 70)
Abington, Pennsylvania[3]
Political partyRepublican
Spouse(s)Judi Fox

Early life

Fox was born in Abington, Pennsylvania. He graduated from Pennsylvania State University in State College, Pennsylvania in 1969, and earned a J.D. from the Delaware School of Law (now Widener University School of Law), in Wilmington, Delaware, in 1975. He served in the United States Air Force Reserve from 1969 to 1975. He held positions with the General Services Administration, and was a guest lecturer for the Presidential Classroom for Young Americans. From 1976 to 1984 he was assistant district attorney for the state of Pennsylvania.[4]

Political career

Fox made his first successful run at political office in 1984, winning a seat in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives from the Abington area after Democrat Joe Hoeffel retired. He would serve in the House until the 1991 primary election, when he challenged the incumbent GOP commissioners for a seat on the Montgomery County Board of Commissioners. Fox and Mario Mele defeated the incumbents and went on to win the general election.[5] However, Fox, who believed that he would be elected chairman, was surprised when Mele nominated himself for the job, with Hoeffel seconding.[6]

In 1992, he ran unsuccessfully for Congress against Democrat Marjorie Margolies-Mezvinsky, losing by less than 1,400 votes.[7] However, Fox sought a rematch in 1994 and, with Mezvinsky saddled with a vote for a tax increase, Fox became part of the Republican Revolution.[8] Fox was re-elected once, in 1996, defeating Hoeffel by 84 votes out of nearly 250,000 cast.[9] In 1998, three Republicans, Mike McMonagle, Melissa Brown and Jonathan Newman challenged him in the GOP primary. Fox staved off the internal challenge and faced Hoeffel in a rematch for the general election.[10] Fox also faced a backlash after the impeachment of President Clinton; the 13th, long a classic "Yankee Republican" district, had become increasingly friendly to Democrats in the 1990s. In November, Fox was unable to overcome these challenges and lost 51.6%–46.6%.[11] After the election, Fox voted for all four articles of impeachment against Clinton.[12]

In 2004, State Representative Ellen Bard, who held Fox' old state house seat retired to run for Congress, and Fox was persuaded to run for the seat. Fox faced newcomer Josh Shapiro in a district that had become increasingly favorable to Democrats since his original tenure. His campaign did not gain traction with the electorate, and he was defeated 54.3%–44.7%.[13]

Personal life

Fox lived in Abington with his wife, Judi, with whom he has a son, Will. He was active in the Republican Party as the Area Chairman for Abington Township. He practiced law and also worked as an instructor at Manor College in Jenkintown, Pennsylvania. Fox died on February 11, 2018 of complications with cancer at age 70.[12]

See also

References

U.S. House of Representatives
Preceded by
Marjorie Margolies-Mezvinsky
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Pennsylvania's 13th congressional district

1995–1999
Succeeded by
Joe Hoeffel
Political offices
Preceded by
Floriana Bloss
Member of the Montgomery County Board of Commissioners
1992–1995
Succeeded by
Richard Buckman
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Preceded by
Joe Hoeffel
Member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives for the 153rd District
1985–1992
Succeeded by
Martin Laub
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