TJ Cox, Democrat for California's 19th Congressional District

An AsiansVote.com Interview

TJ Cox is an Asian American Democrat running against the Republican incumbent George Radanovich for the US House of Representatives in California's 19th Congressional District. The 19th District, which includes Modesto and Fresno, was gerrymandered as a safe Republican seat, but Cox recently nabbed the endorsement of the Fresno and Modesto Bee. Visit Cox's website, read his journal, and read on for the AsiansVote interview. Then consider helping him win this election by donating some dollars.

AsiansVote: In six sentences or less, please tell us who you are and why you're the best person for the job of representing California’s 19th Congressional District.

TJ Cox: I'm TJ Cox - an engineer, businessman, husband and father of four children. I made the decision to run for Congress because I am passionate about bringing common-sense solutions to government. I am not running to be the standard-bearer for any political party. I’ve built a successful career on bringing parties together, collaborating to find solutions and turning ideas into reality. I am running to represent all the people in California's 19th Congressional District.

AV: What made you decide to enter this race?

TJC: As a father, I worry that our generation will be the first generation to leave its children a country and society with less opportunity and freedom than what was afforded to us. It's time to accept the mantle of leadership and make a difference for our communities, country and children.

AV: What's the one thing you wish every voter in your district knew about you?

TJC: Last year, I put together a Habitat for Humanity team and went to Armenia to build homes for deserving families. While in Armenia, a father stated to me, "Thank you, for not just what you are doing in building this home, but thank you for giving me hope and dignity". I have hope for a better tomorrow, but that hope must be translated into action today.

AV: What's the one thing you wish every voter in your district knew about your opponent?

TJC: My opponent fails to respect the sanctity of medicine - he opposes expanded stem cell research, he opposes allowing [a] woman to make her own reproductive health care decisions with her doctor and he supported government intervention in the tragic Terri Schiavo right-to-die case.

AV: What do you think are the most important issues facing our nation and how can you make a difference in Washington?

TJC: Reconnecting with the American people is critical. Too many members of Congress, particularly my opponent, have forgotten that they were sent to Washington to represent the people - not the Executive Branch and certainly not any political party. The drafters of our Constitution set up the Legislative Branch in Article One for a reason: The people were to have the power. It is time that their power be restored.

AV: You seem to be concentrating on bread and butter issues -- in your debate with your opponent on KMJ 580, you talked about the need to control deficit spending, your desire to bring a fairer share of federal dollars back to your district, and the fact that your opponent voted against letting the U.S. government negotiate for better prescription drug prices. Are those the most important issues in your district, or do you believe that topics like the War in Iraq and the Republican corruption in Congress should also come to the forefront in the campaign?

TJC: The most important issues in our district are the struggles people face daily. They include limited access to affordable health care, dirty air and few vocational and technical training alternatives for the kids who aren't going to college. The two billion dollars a week spent in the Middle East is money that could be invested here at home on schools, roads and health care.

AV: How does being of Asian descent affect your views and your politics?

TJC: Being a child of immigrant parents, I was instilled with a deep gratitude for all the freedom and opportunity that our country affords to all of its citizens. My parents, although born in another country, first and foremost consider themselves Americans.

AV: In your debate on KMJ 580, you mentioned that you were a delegate for Howard Dean in 2004. What was it about the Dean campaign that you found inspiring?

TJC: He was the only governor to balance his state's budget while at the same time, provide health care to all of the children in his state.

AV: Who are your other political heroes/role models?

TJC: George Washington was offered the role of king and he declined so that he could represent the people in a Democracy. So Washington is definitely on the list, along with JFK, Thomas Jefferson, Abraham Lincoln, Bill Gates, Warren Buffett.

AV: What have you learned so far on the campaign trail and what advice do you have for other people considering a run for office?

TJC: Our country and our democracy are worth fighting for. People are yearning for a government that they can look up to, one that has their best interests in mind and one they can count on to do the right thing. My advice to people considering a run for office? Just do it. We are the ones we've been waiting for.

AV: The 19th district has a Republican bias — it voted 57.3 to 38.6 percent for Bush over Kerry in 2004. What will it take for you to win this election as the Democratic challenger?

TJC: Connecting with the voters and providing a clear message that resonates. I am running a unique campaign that doesn’t travel the traditional political route. The district is 44% Republican and 39% Democratic. This race will be decided by registered Independents. My plan to make health care affordable and accessible, clean the air and develop alternate fuels are the issues that dominate our public discussion in CD19. Voters are engaged. In order to get my message out to the voters, I need money.

AV: Why should our readers from outside your district take an interest in your campaign -- and what can they do to help?

TJC: Together we can change the way people view politics and shape what they believe is possible. I am running an aggressive and bipartisan campaign that demands accountability and reasonable expectations for leadership. What we have now is ridiculous. I believe in collaboration and focusing on real solutions rather than partisan gamesmanship. My opponent was the class president of the group elected in 1994 based on their "Contract with America" promises. This month, the local newspapers recently described him as "the poster boy of a do-nothing member in a do-little Congress". The 19th Congressional District was gerrymandered to be a safe Republican seat. If I prevail, all around the country people in both parties can point to this race as an example that America depends on good people standing up and doing the right thing. It’s a simple concept but profound at the same time. Citizens want to take back their country. To help: Visit my website at www.tjcox.com and please contribute.

Photos courtesy of the TJ Cox campaign.