Jon D. Fox

Infobox_Congressman
name = Jon D. Fox


date of birth = Birth date and age|1947|4|22|mf=y
place of birth = Abington, Pennsylvania
death_date =
death_place =
state = Pennsylvania
district = 13th
term = 1995–1999
preceded = Marjorie Margolies-Mezvinsky
succeeded = Joe Hoeffel
party = Republican
spouse =

Jon D. Fox (born April 22, 1947) was a Republican member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Pennsylvania.

Jon Fox was born in Abington, Pennsylvania. He graduated from Pennsylvania State University in State College, PA 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.

In 1984, he made his first successful run at political office, winning a seat in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives. He would serve in the House until 1991 when he challenged the incumbent GOP commissioners for the Montgomery County Board of Commissioners in the 1991 primary election. Fox and Mario Mele defeated the incumbents and went on to win the general election. [ [http://www.thebulletin.us/site/news.cfm?newsid=17790016&BRD=2737&PAG=461&dept_id=576361&rfi=6 William Mulgrew, Ellis Backs Candidacy with Poll Numbers, Philadelphia Evening Bulletin, 1/31/07] ] However, Fox, who believed that he would be elected chairman, was surprised when Mele nominated himself for the job with Democratic Commissioner Joe Hoeffel seconding. [ [http://inquirer.philly.com/opinion/mario.html Karen E. Quinones Miller, Mele Won't Give Up Chairmanship, as Informally Planned, The Philadelphia Inquirer, 1/9/98] ]

In 1992, he ran unsuccessfully for Congress against Democrat Marjorie Margolies-Mezvinsky, losing by less than 1,400 votes. [ [http://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=28413 1992 General Election Results, ourcampaigns.com, 11/3/92] ] However, Fox sought a rematch in 1994 and with Mezvinsky saddled with a vote for a tax increase, Fox became part of the 1994 Republican Revolution. [ [http://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=29324 1994 General Election Results, ourcampaigns.com, 11/8/94] ]

Fox was re-elected once, in 1996, over Democrat Joe Hoeffel. His margin of victory was a mere 84 votes out of nearly 250,000 cast. [ [http://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=29750 1996 General Election Results, ourcampaigns.com, 11/5/96] ] Unfortunately, he would not be able to rest long after his victory. In 1998, three Republicans, Michael McGonagle, Melissa Brown and Jonathan Newman challenged him in the GOP primary. Fox staved off the internal challenge but now faced Hoeffel in a rematch for the general election. [ [http://www.cnn.com/ALLPOLITICS/1998/05/20/pennsylvania.results/ 1998 Primary Election Results, CNNAllpolitics.com, 5/19/98] ] Fox also faced a backlash after the impeachment of President Clinton; the 13th, once a Republican stronghold, had become increasingly friendly to Democrats in the 1990s. In November, Fox was unable to overcome the challenges his campaign faced, losing 51.6%-46.6%. [ [http://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=30872 1998 General Election Results, ourcampaigns.com, 11/3/98] ]

In 2004, State Representative Ellen Bard gave up her seat to run for Congress and Fox was tapped to try and retain her seat. Fox faced newcomer Josh Shapiro in a district that was increasingly favorable for Democrats. His campaign did not gain traction with the electorate, and he was defeated 54.3%-44.7%. [ [http://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=76277 2004 General Election Results, ourcampaigns.com, 11/2/04] ]

Fox resides in Abington with wife and son. He is active in the Republican Party as the Area Chairman for Abington Township. He practices law and also works as an instructor at Manor College in Jenkintown, Pennsylvania.

References