Robert Fox (California)
From Ballotpedia
This page was current at the end of the individual's last campaign covered by Ballotpedia. Please contact us with any updates.
Robert Fox ran for election to the Long Beach City Council to represent District 2 in California. He lost in the general election on November 3, 2020.
Fox completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2020. Click here to read the survey answers.
Biography
Fox was born in Anderson, Indiana. He earned a bachelor's degree from the University of Wisconsin at Madison in 1974. Fox's professional experience includes working as a real estate broker, licensed in Hawaii and California. He has also been a registered representative of the Security Exchange Commission. Fox has owned a cleaning company, worked as a chef and restaurant owner, served as a business consultant and designer, and has held a painting contractor's license. His organizational affiliations include serving as the founding president of Alamitos Beach and founding East Village, the Craftsman Village, Rose Park, and North Alamitos Beach. Fox has also served with local LGBTQ centers and youth development agencies and has served as a board member with the Long Beach Reform Coalition.[1]
Elections
2020
See also: City elections in Long Beach, California (2020)
General election
General election for Long Beach City Council District 2
Cindy Allen defeated Robert Fox in the general election for Long Beach City Council District 2 on November 3, 2020.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ |  | Cindy Allen (Nonpartisan)  | 53.6 | 11,448 |
 | Robert Fox (Nonpartisan) | 46.4 | 9,928 | |
| Total votes: 21,376 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
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Nonpartisan primary election
Nonpartisan primary for Long Beach City Council District 2
The following candidates ran in the primary for Long Beach City Council District 2 on March 3, 2020.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Robert Fox (Nonpartisan) | 27.2 | 3,057 |
| ✔ | | Cindy Allen (Nonpartisan) | 26.5 | 2,984 |
 | Jeanette Barrera (Nonpartisan) | 20.0 | 2,245 | |
| Eduardo Lara (Nonpartisan) | 19.2 | 2,160 | ||
| Ryan Lum (Nonpartisan) | 2.6 | 289 | ||
| Nigel Lifsey (Nonpartisan) | 2.3 | 262 | ||
| Jesus Cisneros (Nonpartisan) | 2.2 | 253 | ||
| Total votes: 11,250 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Campaign themes
2020
Video for Ballotpedia
| Video submitted to Ballotpedia Released February 27, 2020 |
Ballotpedia survey responses
See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection
Robert Fox completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2020. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Fox's responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.
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I'm running for City Council in Long Beach to restore the voice of the people. For too long, the residents and businesses of the City have been ignored by City officials, who pursue policies that benefit the few, the special interests who pull their strings, like the Police Officers Association, which harm the rest of us. Conflicts of interest, unsafe road diets, more congestion, less parking, more density, and fighting for counterproductive rent-raising gentrification policies are just some of the ways our current city officials work against us. It's time to stop the insanity and elect someone with common sense who cares about the future of our residents more than appeasing their big donors. People deserve a government that listens to them. They deserve to have policies in place so that they can prosper. If the goal of City Hall is to destroy small businesses and diminish the ability of people to commute and earn an income, then it is time to reform our local government. I'm a 35+ year resident, homeowner, and local businessman who has worked to improve Long Beach and the 2nd District for decades. I will bring truth, transparency, and accountability, back to local government. I will hold the City accountable and speak out using the platform of this seat to advocate for policy-making that's inclusive of the people. I'll hold our city officials accountable when they try to pull the wool over our eyes. Reform is in the wind, and I intend to forward that spirit within the City.
- Long Beach deserves elected officials who are accessible, accountable and transparent. I will make honest, community-driven government my highest priority.
- City Hall makes $20 million in parking citations per year, and a vast majority of that comes from our District. I will end this abusive and discriminatory policy by creating viable parking solutions, and reducing parking tickets in parking impacted areas like our district.
- I am dedicated to reforming the LBPD and creating an effective Citizen's Police Complaint Commission. The Police Officer's Association spent $48,000 on Cindy Allen's campaign to push her through the primary. She cannot be trusted to regulate the Police Dept.
It all comes down to democracy. The current cadre running our City operate with neither the engagement nor true consent of the community they were sent to represent. Residents constantly witness matters coming down the City Hall pipeline which don't reflect their wishes but which match the agendas of large monied interest groups. These include billion-dollar real estate development companies, police unions, or voluntary regional government bodies. Our City Council is used by opportunists like a stepping stone to higher political office. Long Beach residents have been deprived of their voices, sometimes even literally. Speaking time in City Council has gone from 5 minutes, to 3 minutes, to 90 seconds, and even to zero, at various times. Our right to participate in the process, as a community, has essentially been stripped from us.
I am passionate about community-driven government, and I truly believe that the only way to build a cohesive and innovative City is by actively pursuing the input of its residents. We MUST restore the full, inclusive, and active democratic process to our local government.
I am passionate about community-driven government, and I truly believe that the only way to build a cohesive and innovative City is by actively pursuing the input of its residents. We MUST restore the full, inclusive, and active democratic process to our local government.
The 2nd District of Long Beach represents the Port of Long Beach, half of the Downtown, and a major portion of the ocean bluff. This is a dense district with incredible diversity, and untapped wealth for our people, if only directed in the proper way. With the oncoming recession, we will need a leader in the 2nd who understands world trade and the impact of international connections with regards to the port. The 2nd District is the major tourist destination, and in order to revive that industry will take a business mind who can understand what it takes to make that industry thrive. This seat is one of 9 seats on the City Council, which according to our City Charter manages the City Manager. The power of the Council has implications across the City, as it determines the ordinances affecting anything from rental housing to medical marijuana to homeless solutions. The voters will have a chance to select a proven leader of the neighborhoods and the business community with grassroots support or a political pawn who will never rock the boat of the City Hall political machine. I believe this seat represents incredible power to change the City for the good, to correct the paths we have taken in the past, and to secure an ethical future for generations to come. We are at a time of extreme passions, seeking justice and reform. Whoever votes for accountability in the 2nd will make the change that is required of us. Pandering to party politics, speaking general platitudes regarding bland issues will not serve us. This Seat can represent real community involvement and change.
Mahatma Gandhi, Nelson Mandela, Franklin Delano Roosevelt are three of my favorite examples of leadership. I wish America were in that place of consciousness where the principles and practice of the Mahatma could flourish, but we are not in that place. Instead, I look to leaders like Mandela, who with non-violent protest, good political skills, charisma, and a message of equality who transformed their nations. Often we fight against entrenched powers, and we must be up to the task at hand. Sacrifice is in the American spirit if we present something precious to protect and preserve. Equality, Justice, and Fairness are bell-weather words to call upon the people. I admire Roosevelt for his forethought and his forward-thinking practical plans to renew the Nation. I look up to his stalwart defense of freedom, and his unwavering determination against the Nazis. While far from perfect, he saw the unending optimism of our people and showed a pathway out of Depression into the dignity of work and pride.
We are facing a Depression of unequaled impact with nearly the entire industrialized world recently closed down due to COVID_19. We need leaders who can make practical, not demagogic, decisions to restore our economy and hope for the future. I look to the values of the New Deal to guide my path. There is dignity in all work, and we must provide the opportunities for the people to enjoy that pride.
The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin is my favorite book. The lessons of his life have molded my development. Mr. Deeds Goes to Washington sums up my philosophy in a nutshell. Standing up against the corrupt, the mean, the libelous, and the frauds is the essence of this film. The hardship, the determination of the desperate inward struggle to stay the course in the face of lies, bullying, intimidation, and deceit are the characteristics of this man that so inspire us. We are all at such a point in this Country and in this City. Only the very brave, the very committed can stand a chance to survive the struggle for truth. A foundation of honest endeavor, and self examination and improvement as so eloquently written in the Franklin writings will motivate one to become more than they were. My philosophy of life is the same as my philosophy of government. Having read Plato as a youth, I have been taught the art of government from a young age. Of all the books I have read, I find Benjamin Franklin's Autobiography the most telling of the American experiment in a democratic republic. He was once asked by a citizen at the conclusion of the drafting of the Constitution, What form of government do we have? His answer still stands today.. "A Republic, if you can keep it.". We are facing the destruction of our Republic, certainly in the local context, by those of power and greed. It will take all the Benjamin Franklins in the Country to defend our republic, to fight against the tyranny of bureaucratic malfeasance, and the ingrained power of wealth.
Whoever controls the 2nd District has direct influence over the infrastructure of the District. This is important as we have had horrible decisions made in the last officer holder's time in office. The destruction of the Broadway Business Corridor has led to over 20 shops going out of business. Only with the tacit approval or lack of awareness of the Council Member can this kind of wholesale destruction occur. This office also can agendize items on the floor of the Council, like the lowering of parking tickets for all parking impacted designated areas of the City. It could rescind the directive to the City Manager to impound people's cars for 3 parking tickets. In this coming recession we will need those ideas presented and negotiated with other council members to make reform and change. This District is coastal and use of our Coast is vitally important. Whether we squander 9 million for a snack shack on the beach, built with concrete, or whether we charge exorbitant fees at our City Marina, or restore the 9 Marine Patrol officers protecting the beach, will be strongly influenced by the 2nd District. Bringing forth good legislation for the Oil Operators and the Oil Islands is imperative. Making sure the Tidelands Trust Fund actually works for the restoration of the Coast, and the liquefaction Zone caused by oil drilling will impact everyone. There are countless other specific issues which are inherently 2nd District issues. It is the policy of the Council not to oppose what a Council Member wants in their District. This is a little known but vital part of sitting on Council.
I believe it is important for someone to run for the seat with a deep understanding of City Government and the way it works. I have been involved with City Politics for 35 years. I have interacted with Council Members, the Mayor, and the City Manager as well as the Police Chief, the Heads of most departments, and the rank and file of the City. Knowing how things are done is imperative if you are wanting change. One has to understand the law, and what is not possible. Knowing your limitations is as important as being passionate about your desires for the good. Without a decent background of political engagement, you would never hit the pavement running. I do not believe that a long learning curve is good for the City at any time, but especially now with such huge issues in front of us. One must know how to legislate, how to confer, how to persuade other council members, how to get the facts out of the City Management and its various Departments so that good information is provided. Also, you have to know when the City is fudging the numbers, distorting the facts, and just plain lying. A grounded ability in research is required at this time as the community challenges the status quo. Without a grounded understanding of the political process one simply is too naive to make any significant policy adjustments. Good instincts are important, but one has to be as wise as a fox to navigate the misinformation, the deletion of material facts, the cover-up of substantive facts, so that in the end, you sway the other Council Members to vote for the right thing, and the right principles of protecting and serving our people. Ignorance is unacceptable for this job. Knowledge, competence and institutional memory is key to making a difference.
Having a deep connection and understanding of the neighborhood associations is vital. Having a background in real hands-on community service, and a proven track record of participation in the community is key. Having a sound mind for business balanced with residential issues, with an experience of leadership, not just being on a committee, real leadership in the City is imperative. Determination, the conviction of principles, and unbending honor is important. We simply cannot have a liar in the seat of the 2nd District. An openness to communicate, to discuss, to listen, and to engage the community is demanded of this seat. Being able to balance a financial ledger, to analyze data, and do deep research into the issues, plus having sat at the table with the leaders of the business and neighborhood communities is productive in order to come up with balanced solutions. A firm understanding of the law and our City Charter is essential. Having the personality to ask probative questions of staff, and others to become informed, and a mind capable of drawing conclusions from real data, will be required. Being a communicator, an open discussion of issues, an open observer of human behavior, and the wisdom to use those skills to the betterment of the City is the most important attributes one must bring to the table. Finally, the ability to compromise, to adjust, to persuade and to convince others is the key to this seat of power. Having a deeply held passion for the truth and a conviction of honesty cannot be underestimated. Once a liar, one cannot ever be trusted. As the saying goes "Fool me once shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me." Voters who research both candidates will know whom to dismiss as the lies are too egregious to avoid. Therefore the last expertise one needs is the ability to see a con artist when one sees one. Nothing good ever comes of deception and dishonorable conduct. Living a righteous life with harm to no man and goodwill to all.
Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.
See also
2020 Elections
External links
Footnotes
- ↑ Information submitted to Ballotpedia through the Candidate Connection survey on July 2, 2020
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